Love is All You Need
Theme 28: Nox


It was frustrating, sometimes, the awareness that he was in hiding, away from the heat of the battle. But James knew, too, that concealment was very important for him, at the moment.

“Voldemort still seeks you,” Dumbledore’s last letter had said, and James knew he had to live. For Lily. For Harry. To protect them.

To love them.

He descended the staircase with quiet steps, his mind between restlessness and calm. It seemed as if the compass needle could not decide which option to rest on, and moved incessantly between both. The dining hall was dark, unlit in the night. Silent, James raised his wand.

“Lumos.”

Illumination; he saw the outlines of furniture: lampshades, sofas, tabletops. The sound of footsteps rose and, at once, James turned: Lily stood at the foot of the staircase, clearly just having woken up from sleep, dressing gown on.

“James? What happened?” There was worry in her tones.

“Nothing. Nox,” he said quickly, shrugging as she came closer to look up into his face. His arms rose and, gently, he held her. She lay her head against his muscular chest, closing her eyes.

The needle finally seemed to decide: Within him, all was peace.