A New Beginning.
She noticed Hazel and Naomi were wearing the same clothes. Provided by James. They attended the same Muggle school, paid for by James. There was no difference between them. When James came to the farm…he hugged them both. Lily had moved away from the child as she would cast a spell on her.
"What is wrong with you?" She demanded, "He tried to kill Hazel, he killed Charlotte and Sirius. He….."
"Exactly." James cut her off, "It was he who did all those things. And, the girl had nothing to do with it."
"You hated him, James."
"I did." He shook his head,
She waited for him to say 'I still do.' But he didn't.
"I figured something out." He explained. "He was just like me."
"What?" She exploded.
These were the words she could never expect to hear from James.
"You are nothing like him, James," She said, fiercely. "And don't you believe that for a second."
"Oh, but I am." James replied. "He was trying to protect himself and his family...like I am. Granted, he chose the wrong way, but he was only trying to protect whom he loved."
"I…."
I am not giving up on her, Lils." He said firmly, "She will live where Hazel will, at least till the war ends."
"Then, what?"
"Then, I will find her muggle mother and give her back." James replied. "And, I will keep in touch."
James patted her hand, desperately wanting her to understand. She didn't know losses ... .but he did. He knew the loss of friends and family. He felt them so deeply that it made him sympathetic to his bitter enemy.
After six months of no contact and constant fear in her mind (which only grew each day), she saw him again. He came into the small cottage he had bought for Lily just a few months ago. His shirt was tattered, his face had a huge cut that ran from under his eye and all the way to his neck. Dark rims under his eyes and his hair messy as always. Twenty-six years old James looked way older than he was. He was tired. But, happy…..because the war was now over.
"James?" She was shocked.
He looked…..terrible. But, he was smiling. He was grinning widely, even though it hurt his scar.
"Are you okay?"
'Me?" He asked, grinning widely. "I am great! Lil! I am amazing!"
He ran to her and took her into his arms and swung her around.
"James?" She was surprised.
"It's over." He whispered, "Over! He's gone."
"Over?" Lily asked. "Really? Over?"
"Yes!!" He kissed her forehead. "We are safe! Everybody is safe."
His loud shouting woke up the baby.
"Is that…..is that him?" He asked, "My son? Our son?"
"He is." Lily smiled.
He picked up his three months old son for the first time.
"Did you pick a name?" He asked.
"Hazel already announced she will only call him Charlie." Lily explained, "So, I thought, Charlie James Potter?"
James didn't say anything.
"Is that okay?" She realized he hadn't said anything.
"Yeah, it's fine." He said, "It's great! Hello, Charlie…..it's your dad."
The noise woke up the other kids. Naomi lived with her now. James had been right, she couldn't hate a child. She started to see a sweet child in Naomi.
"Dad?" Hazel woke up, looking up.
James came to visit sometimes, when it was only her at the farm. After that it was harder to visit.
"Daddy!" She squealed, jumping out of bed.
James ran towards her and hugged her.
"Oh God…" He wrapped her arms around her. "My daughter, my baby...My Charlotte."
The last word was a whisper, but Lily heard him anyway.
Naomi stood at the other side of the room, a little shy and a little out of place.
"Come here." He motioned her to come towards him.
He hugged Naomi.
"Come here, girl." He told her, "And, let's get you home, sweetie."
James Potter searched for Naomi's mom and failed. Perhaps, because Voldemort had already killed her. James Potter arranged for her housing in his home. Lily Evans and James Potter became guardians of Naomi Snape, the daughter of James Potter's mortal enemy and the man who killed his best friend. But, it didn't matter because Snape was dead. She couldn't be held accountable for what her father did. And, she wasn't as James Potter only told her good things about her father.