[[This is another scene I cut from the final version of Lily and the Snitch. It came out way better than I’d imagined and I felt like it deserved a thread on its own, so here it is. I hope you enjoy! :) ]]

James, in awe: “I can’t believe he’s finally here.”

And I can’t help but think...

James: “Now that he’s asleep, you should get some rest as well, love. You haven’t really slept in days.”

James: “Come on. I’ll hold him while you sleep.”

James, smiling: “Lily, he’ll still be here later. And in 3 months, when he won’t stop crying in the middle of the night and we’re losing our minds or in a year, when he’s walking all over the place and we’re losing our minds, or in 16 years, when he’s going through puberty and we’re losing our minds, you’ll be happy you slept when you still could.”

James, grinning: “Psst, Harry, did you hear that? She said I’m right!”

James, thinking there’s probably a bigger issue: “So then...what’s going on? You trust me with him, don’t you?”

I just...

James: “I won’t ever take my eyes off him, I promise.”

Yes, of course you won’t. Of course. And I know that. Don’t mind me, just new mum anxiety, I guess. 

Lily: “Got him?”

James: “Yeah. Yeah, I’ve got him.”

James, looking at Harry, who is wriggling around in his sleep: “He’s the cutest baby I’ve ever seen.”

Lily, rolling her eyes: “James, he’s the only baby you’ve ever seen.”

James, smiling down at the infant in his arms: “Doesn’t make it any less true, though.” *turns to his wife* “Oh, hey, are you okay? Is something wrong? Did I do something?”