12 Chapter 12

Lily gazed up at Harry, her vision narrowing as the darkness closed in. The old man watching from afar faded from view. Soon the cold and pain receded as well, along with her grasp on identity and purpose. All that remained was the image of her son, until even he disappeared into the void.

After an extended period, Lily slowly opened her eyes to a radiant light enveloping her, unlike any she had experienced before. The floor where she lay appeared stark white.

She listened to the stillness, alone with nobody else present. All was hushed and tranquil.

She sat up and peered around. Her surroundings seemed endless, with only white visible in every direction.

In the distance, Lily could discern the outline of a man. She stood and gradually approached him.

As she drew nearer, she was greeted by a very familiar man she had previously seen in her dream or vision. And yet, here he was, in the flesh...

"Lily," said the elderly gentleman, wearing a threadbare black suit and fedora, who smiled at her warmly. "You likely have an inkling of who I am."

"Death?" she queried.

The old man's smile broadened further.

"So I am dead..." Lily muttered as her gaze drifted over her unfamiliar surroundings.

"Sadly, yes," Death replied matter-of-factly. "I'm here to guide you to the afterlife."

"Where is this place? And where's Harry?" she asked anxiously.

"We're in a realm between life and death," he explained with a smile. "Harry's safe for now—he won't be here for a long time."

Lily paused, realization dawning. "The visions came true, but I died instead of Harry?"

Death closed his eyes and nodded solemnly.

"Yes," he said slowly, his smile fading. "You see, I have been searching for this dagger for a long time." He showed the silver dagger to Lily, the metal glinting in his hands. Engraved rune markings appeared just beneath the hilt.

"It can end a life, negating all magic," he said bitterly with a sigh. "It was kept from me for generations until tonight."

"Why now? Why did I see that vision of my son dying?" Lily asked.

"Because of Bellatrix's actions tonight," Death replied, taking a deep breath. "I foresaw a future where your son does not survive." He stated it plainly.

"I can only witness what may come to pass, so I gave you a glimpse to see which path you would choose." He gazed into the distance.

Lily asked in a hushed voice, "So it was up to me?"

Death met her gaze, his eyes piercing. "Do you regret your decision?"

"No," she replied firmly. "I'm grateful for the chance to give my son the love he deserved."

Death nodded, his eyes downcast as he sat in contemplative silence. Gradually, Lily realized what would come next as the minutes stretched on. They looked into each other's faces, Death beaming as he took her hand. Together they walked on, their figures fading into the void.

For one shivering second, silence fell as the shock of the moment suspended everything. Then tumult erupted around Harry as screams and gasps tore through the air. Mr. Weasley gently pulled him up and guided him out of the street and out of Hogsmeade.

The next day at home, the pain of losing his mother pierced Harry like a physical wound. He did not know how long he stood there. The apartment looked almost the same as when he and Lily had left it the previous night—robes hanging behind the front door, leftover breakfast still in the sink from before his mother had left for work yesterday morning.

In one hand, he held Lily's bag; in the other, her glasses. Sobbing, he took Lily's glasses from the bag and saw a tiny crack at the edge of the frame. He remembered clearly that morning when Lily had been so scared of the visions she'd had, one of which was the cracked glasses—yet she'd never mentioned it again.

As the sun rose over the apartment, Harry sat on the bed in Lily's room, gazing at the moving portraits surrounding him. Reaching into his pocket, he retrieved the pocket watch she had gifted him the night before. Opening it, he studied the five people in the photos, but his focus shifted to a small key tucked behind them that slid into his palm. Lily hadn't mentioned a key when she gave him the watch. After searching the wrapper for clues and finding none, Harry rose, scanning the room. There must be something here that required unlocking.

Harry went over to Lily's drawers and opened them one by one. He froze as his hands went numb. Inside one drawer was a small, locked chest. Harry took it, lurched to the bed, and sat down. With a deep breath, he inserted the key into the lock. It clicked softly as he turned the key. He slowly opened the lid to find photos of himself as a baby with his parents and a stack of letters addressed to him. Opening the top letter, he read:

Son,

I'm writing this because we could never have this conversation in person. From the start, you were always the bright spark in my life. It was so much easier to hug you and to let you know how proud of you I was. Coming in the door and getting a hug from you was like a breath of life for me at the end of a long day. We could sit and play or read and it was so easy to be together. Sometimes I won't always know just what it means to be a father, but I do promise to try my best.

I wish it were easy to tell you what being a man entails, all I can say is that for most of your life you will battle between who you think you want to be, and who you truly are. I imagine you will be more compassionate and caring when you grow up. I have no doubt that you will be a man who is filled with a quiet strength that can only be born from a deep, confident concern for the world. Never lose that.

Never give up the sillies, my son. Never stop laughing your laugh. Do not ever let life convince you of its seriousness and always find a way to laugh and make others laugh.

Always remember that you are loved beyond words. I have said a lot in all my letters to you but I will never be able to say enough that will express the love I have for you. Remember this above all things; you are so deeply loved in this world. Not just by me and your mother and your friends but by the universe itself.

My secret wish is that you should throw all my advice away, crumple it up and leave it sitting on your bedroom floor and go live... go live a life that is true for you. And in many years—as you go out and live your life, as you go out and become your own man, you find a partner, you have children, you become a success—that you come home one day and find that old ball of advice still there. And you carefully uncrumple it and read through it with a smile, realizing that the wisdom stuck with you still and you became every inch the man I tried to help you be. And even better, you became so much more. And you erase my name from the letter and sign it with your own. And you go back to your home and slide it under your son's door because you will want the same for him that I always wanted for you. To be a light in this world that outshines all others.

I love you, buddy!

Dad

Overcome with emotion, Harry read his parents' letters again. His father's words, inked by the very hand that had held Harry as an infant, were an incredible treasure. Proof that James Potter had truly lived. That he and Lily had loved their son. Harry eagerly tore open another parchment, greedy for more of his mother's words.

Dear Harry,

When you came into this world, you brought a love into my heart that I had never before experienced. When you spoke your first word, when you walked your first steps, I was your biggest supporter and fan. With every developmental milestone you reached, I revelled in joy and celebration. You taught me the meaning of love—true, unconditional love.

Now you are older, and what an amazing person you've become! You have your own personality, your own thoughts and opinions, and your own sense of humour. You have your own interests, your own talents, and your own way of doing things.

As you continue to grow and become an adult, you will live your own life. You will have times of happiness and times of disappointment. You will fall in love, and you will have your heart broken. Life has its ups and downs and is not always fair, but I know your strength and resilience will see you through. May you always know your worth and how incredibly precious you are! As your mother, it is my privilege to impart these important truths to you.

Be true to yourself always. Live your own dreams. Don't take life so seriously. Love and accept yourself unconditionally. Don't be afraid to take risks. And, last but certainly not least, know that I love you and will always be there for you. No matter what, I've got your back. You are my son and always will be. There may be times when we don't always see eye to eye, but I still love you and always will.

Love,

Mom

Clutching the letter in trembling hands, Harry slowly lowered it and closed his eyes. He pressed the precious pages against his chest as if to keep the words close to his heart. The hush of the vacant apartment seemed to acknowledge the solemn truth—these letters were the sole mementos Harry would ever have of his parents.

As he passed by the kitchen window, Mr. Weasley caught sight of Harry outside and headed out to join him. Harry stood motionless in the vast field before the Burrow, arms limp, gazing distantly at the faint dawn glow on this final day of summer break before his return to Hogwarts.

"Harry," said Mr. Weasley, coming up beside him.

Startled from his reverie, Harry looked up. "Mr. Weasley, what are you doing up so early?"

"I could ask you the same, Harry," Mr. Weasley replied, his eyes filled with concern.

Harry stared at the floor, shock and realization washing over him as he accepted his fate. His eyes conveyed a private message of longing. "I miss them... my parents," he finally said quietly.

"That makes two of us," Mr. Weasley replied. He turned his gaze back to the horizon. "It's difficult when you miss people who brought you such joy and love. But it also means you were fortunate to have someone that special in your life, someone worth missing."

A ray of sunlight fell across them, illuminating Mr. Weasley's thin hairs and the young lines on Harry's face.

"Family is a unique and precious gift that we must appreciate and cherish," Mr. Weasley continued, "even when they frustrate and annoy us. Although family can be maddening at times, these are the people who know and love us best."

"Throughout life, we often wonder about the meaning of it all. But ultimately, it's all about family."

Mr. Weasley gently squeezed Harry's shoulder and said slowly, "You have us, Harry. We're your family. You're not alone."

Harry smiled faintly. The Weasleys had been by his side through the difficult times, sharing laughter and strength despite everything. Their unwavering support gave him the resolve to keep going. He could never thank them enough.

As Mr. Weasley went back inside, Ron appeared beside Harry and asked, "Hey mate, you okay?"

"Yeah," Harry replied. "Just enjoying the fresh air."

Ron observed Harry for a moment before smiling and revealing a large parcel he had been holding behind his back. "A package arrived for you."

Harry took the parcel and read the card attached to it.

Dear Harry,

I hope you had a wonderful birthday, my dear! This gift is coming to you a bit late, but I know it will be useful when you return to Hogwarts. The owner of the Quidditch Supplies shop told me it will take about a month to fully repair your father's old broomstick. I was shocked to hear the extent of the damage! This broom was your dad's most treasured possession, and he would have been thrilled to pass it down to you. Please take good care of it in his memory.

Your father and I love you so much, Harry. Cherish this gift as a reminder of our love. I can't wait to see you again soon!

All my love,

Mom

With misty eyes, Harry smiled up at the open sky. "Thank you, Mum and Dad... I love you too..."

THE END