HARRY'S SAKE

Chap 1-Welcome

A/N:- Re-edited… due to mistakes and grammatical problems the chap is reposted. Content is same… please review…. Hope all of you will like it now…

It was 31st of July, first year of James and Lily's marriage. James was pacing in the hallways of St.Mungo's while Lily was in the operation room with the doctor. It has been two hours since Lily went in. Remus and Sirius were sitting on a bench watching their best friend pacing in the hallway in front of them in nervousness.

Earlier that evening, the three Marauders and Lily were sitting in the living room of James and Lily's house at Godric's Hallow, when suddenly Lily started screaming in pain, catching attention of all three men in room. As fast as James could, with the help of his two best friends, brought Lily to the St.Mungo's. It was all in such a hurry that James couldn't think of any do's n don'ts. He was bloody nervous. He just started pacing in the hallways to release his nervousness.

He started thinking, 'what was going to happen now? Why was he nervous? He knew this was going to happen, didn't he?' He should be happy. He was feeling like he would suffocate with all the nervousness he carried . Why was he feeling like this? He is going to be a father, and he relished the idea very much. He was waiting for it to happen for the last 7 months. But now all he could do was get nervous.

"James, everything will be fine," Sirius assured his best friend and kept an assuring hand on his shoulder, even when he couldn't believe it himself.

He was going to be a godfather to the newborn. When James and Lily told this news to him, he thought they were kidding him. But when they told him it was true, he didn't know what to say; he was overjoyed.

Remus too joined his friends and tried to reassure both of them. Remus was equally happy that he was going to become a uncle.

"Hey, what do you think it will be? A boy or a girl? " Remus asked.

"Girl," Sirius answered quickly.

"No, I think it will be a boy just like James," Remus said and looked at James for his opinion.

"I don't care if it is a boy or a girl, all I know is that it will be our baby." First time in last two hours, he smiled at the thought. And his friend could see the twinkle in his eyes, like the one in Dumbledore's.

"I think you are right, James. All that matters is that I will be its' godfather," Sirius said proudly.

The three friends sat on the bench which was first occupied by the two Marauders, but now by all three of them, discussing about the baby that was going to be born any time soon. Though James was nervous, not for one minute did his mind part from the thought of Lily who was in the operation theatre. May be nervous for this reason he was- a premature delivery.

He spoke with all the doctors he came across every time he came to St.Mungos about everything in this pregnancy. Some doctors had told him it may be fast like in few hours while it can also take a long time. And now he didn't like it. He couldn't think of Lily in pain for almost two hours now, because when he had seen her in pain earlier this evening, he had goose bumps on his neck.

The three friends talked an hour or so. About the changes in their lives, how happy they were, or the name of the baby. Then discussed more about the room that all four had decorated for the

baby since Lily broke the news of her pregnancy. They ridiculed over their reactions on the news she gave. If one could have seen them at that time, one couldn't possibly think of more hysterical reaction which were on their faces. They were in middle of their chat when they heard a baby cry. Complete silence. All three friends looked at each other, with just one feeling – overjoyed.

"Did you hear that?" James was the first to break the silence, as he couldn't believe his own ears. He was ecstatic.

Remus and Sirius were so happy that they couldn't even utter a word so just nodded, which was enough for James at that moment. Before both could react any further they saw James take a run towards the operation theatre just to collide with the doctor who was coming out of the OT to inform them.

"Sorry," James apologized without realizing who he was apologizing to. He was just anxious to see his baby.

"Mr. Potter?" the doctor asked. Remus and Sirius joined to hear the information of the child.

"Yes?"

"Congratulations, your wife has just delivered a baby boy. He's six pounds, 12 inches long and born at 10: 53 pm." Doctor assured James. It was hard to miss the proud smile that appeared on his face.

"How's Lily? And where's my baby? Can I see them? Is everything alright?" Before James could ask any more, the doctor placed a calming hand over James shoulder to assure him everything was fine.

"Mr. Potter, calm down. Your wife and baby both are in good health and your baby is being cleaned right now and both will be shifted to a room. You can see them then." Doctor said and walked away leaving the three very happy Marauders alone.

James turn around to face his friends and hugged them. Five minutes later, he was in the room with his wife and son, while Remus and Sirius waited outside to give them some family time.

While James was experiencing the pleasure of holding his son, Severus sat in his armchair at Spinners' End thinking deeply with a expression of utter grief.

The news of Lily pregnant with James' baby had eaten him from inside out. He believed he had lost Lily completely. From the last seven months he was keeping himself extremely busy trying hard not to think about Lily but failed. The picture of James and Lily with their baby had haunted him ever since. He could hardly sleep, the black clad man and a Death Eater was becoming thinner and thinner and more agitated than ever. Others Death Eaters were scared of him, and Voldemort was happy seeing him do his work with more determination than he had ever witnessed.

Three hours ago, news of Lily been admitted in St. Mungo's had reached him. He was depressed and was fuming with anger. Voldemort could see his follower fuming with anger but before he could do something, the later had Apparated to Spinners' End. He thought of visiting St.Mungo's to make sure Lily was fine, but he couldn't face the Marauders which he knew would be there. He tried everything he could do to release the tension; he brewed some potions which had always helped him but this time they failed. He sat in his armchair thinking of Lily and the time they spent together.

Severus was brought out of his deep thoughts by a Patronus from his informer, which informed him Lily had given birth to a baby boy and both were in good health. Severus sank more into his chair after he heard the news and was happy that Lily was in good health but how could he ignore the love of his life with a baby of his school rival. He had to visit Lily himself to assure she was fine, after a premature delivery. He knew he didn't need to, but couldn't control his dead heart which beat only for one person even now – Lily.

Severus thought he would visit St. Mungo's just to see Lily and maybe for the last time. He wished he could spend some time with her just to wish her a final goodbye. Would James, by any chance, allow him to be alone with his wife? Better try than regret, he thought. Before he could lose his calm stupor he decided to visit the hospital. He apparated to the hospital and went to the reception.

"In which room would be Lily P..P..Potter?" he asked. The nurse at the reception looked up from her work to see a tall, thin man all clad in black with deep black eyes glaring at her with mixed expression which she couldn't identify; those of grief, happiness, pain, anger, care, nervousness.

"Room number 504, M ward, " she replied with a questioning look on her face.

He turned on his heels and walked towards the M ward.

James entered the room. On the bed in front of him was Lily, his wife sitting with a small baby in her arms, their son. His smile touched his eyes and walked swiftly towards them keeping his gaze on them all the time. He sat on the chair beside her bed which had a crib on the other side. Lily looked directly in his eyes and stared for a moment relating the happiness through their eyes with a smile on their face. James leaned on Lily's side and planted a kiss on her forehead and on his sons small forehead. James had unsheded tears in his eyes, not of sorrow but of pure happiness.

"James, our son," Lily said and moved her arms holding their son towards him to hand him over. James was more than happy to take his son in his arms. He sat down on his chair comfortably to make his son more comfortable against his chest.

"Welcome to the world kid," James told his son.

Sometime later, Remus and Sirius entered the room. They came and stood by James and started cooing their nephew.

"Hey, he is so cute. He has got your eyes, Lily, and looks lot like you," Sirius said.

"But his hair is just like yours, James – raven and messy," Remus added.

"How are you, Lily?" Sirius asked a little worried.

"I'm good, don't worry. I would be running behind you to hex if you like," Lily replied cheekily. Sirius was relieved after hearing it and had a grin on his face.

"Have both of you decided any name for him?" Sirius asked.

"Yes, we have," James stated looking at his wife with a grin on his face.

"Have a seat first," Lily told them, which they willingly did.

"He would be Harry James Potter, son of James and Lily Potter," James told his best friend, while looking at them with a sleeping Harry still in his arms.

At this moment, Severus came looking for Lily and heard what James just told the blood traitor and werewolf. Harry James Potter, son of James and Lily Potter. He stopped just in front of the door which was now open and looked inside and the first thing was, (his) Lily smiling. He was appeased to see her fine. But then his eyes saw James Potter with his baby and friends, and that was it. He couldn't take any more and decided to leave. Just then, Lily looked towards the door and saw Severus standing there and was about to call him but he started walking and was out of sight. This scene was going to haunt him for a long time now. "Harry Potter-son of James and Lily Potter" was all he could think about the whole way to Spinners' End. He reached his private study and fell on his knees in front of his desk and unsheded tears started shedding. His insides was screaming, and yelling. He was on fire.

While in St.Mungo's, Sirius exclaimed, "Harry James Potter… awesome!"

"Yeah… I like it…. It suits him," Remus agreed.

"He's going to have a great future…. " said James.

"Is there any doubt on it? With a witch performing miracles in charms and a wizard with excellent seeker qualities and one of the best Aurors ever as his parents and not to forget his godfather and loving furry uncle," Sirius cheerfully added.

"Obviously a godfather and uncle to teach him pranks of all kind and spoil him with their love," accused James.

"Oh just stop you three, you do believe there is a small baby in this room who doesn't wish to hear all these kind thoughts this soon," Lily finally silenced them.

They spent the rest of the four days at the hospital cheerfully with James always with Lily and Harry and sometimes joined by Sirius and Remus.

Finally Lily and Harry came back home.

"Welcome to our Home Sweet Home, honey," James welcomed both.

"Hey let me take a picture! You three stop there." Sirius came running in the room with his camera.

"What about a family photo with little Harry?" Lily asked Remus and Sirius.

They both joined happily and a whole set of photos started being clicked with everyone and individually with Harry.

"Let's take him to his new room and have him some rest."

They started ascending towards Harry's new room on the first floor besides the master suit. The room consisted of a crib surrounded with toys. Ceiling was magically lit with stars so that baby won't get scared at night. The room had cheerful colors on the walls and an armchair near the window which faced the fountain in the garden.. There was a bookshelf on the right of the crib which was filled with baby story books. In front of the crib was a wooden box with all sorts of toys for Harry. And beside the bathroom door was a closet for his clothes and a changing table. The room was dimly lit by the torches on the walls. A sweet baby scent rushed throughout the room which added to the pleasant atmosphere and the grand decor.

Harry was placed into his crib which was in Lily and James bedroom for the time being. Harry happily and peacefully rested in his crib. They then bid goodbye to the friends and headed towards their room for some peaceful time alone.