July 30, 1997

Lily Potter awoke to sunlight streaming through her windows, stretching her tired body against crumpled sheets. Her heart sank as she remembered today was the day she had to give a report to important Ministry officials. As a valued Auror at the Ministry of Magic, working late into the night had become routine.

Squinting at the clock, she saw it was six in the morning. With a sigh, she closed her eyes, opened them slowly, and thought, "Oh, James, give me strength today."

Fifteen years ago, Lily's husband James Potter was murdered by Voldemort. This tragic loss filled Lily with misery and fear, causing her to become distant, unaffectionate, and overworked. As a result, Lily and her son Harry moved to an apartment in London, believing the proximity to her work would provide security and protection. Though Albus Dumbledore disagreed, Lily felt it was the right decision. Her friends from the Order of the Phoenix were reluctant to agree, but acknowledged Lily likely had her reasons for not returning to Godric's Hollow. In truth, James's death haunted Lily far more than the Cruciatus curse ever could. Forgetting seemed the only way forward.

Fifteen years after that fateful night, Harry Potter was spending his summer in London with his mother, living a seemingly normal life. He had no idea of the tragedy that had taken place so many years before. Lily was determined not to reveal anything about James's death to Harry. Of course, Harry knew the basic facts—that his father had been murdered by a dark wizard—but Lily had given him only a brief, simple explanation when he asked as a child. She clearly never wanted to discuss James, so Harry had dropped the subject.

It was one in the morning, and Harry was writing to his two best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. He told them about his unhappy, tedious life since coming home a month ago. He hated seeing his mother so stressed, barely speaking to him. On the rare occasions she engaged with him, it was only to express her displeasure at his attitude and behavior as he grew up. She blamed the people Harry associated with at school, rather than herself.

In letters to Ron and Hermione, Harry had written the same question a hundred times: "Do you reckon my mum loves me?" Each time, their response was always the same resounding "yes".

Harry twirled his quill, pondering what to write next in his letter to Ron and Hermione, when the clock on his bedside table suddenly chimed six o'clock, jolting him from his thoughts.

"Have I really been writing that long?" he murmured to himself. With a shrug, he signed his name at the bottom of the letter and set it aside to send later.

A knock at the door preceded Lily Potter peeking wearily into the room. "Since you're up, would you please make breakfast for me? I still need to get ready for work." She closed the door without waiting for a reply.

Blinking, Harry tried to process her abrupt request.

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Ten minutes later, Harry threw on a loose gray sweatshirt and sweatpants. In his haste to make breakfast, he hurried out of his room without combing his hair, not realizing his mother was standing right outside the door.

He crashed into Lily, causing the papers she was carefully carrying to topple over, littering the floor in disarray.

"Harry!" Lily shrieked, slowly standing up and massaging her aching backside while glaring furiously at her son.

"What do you think you're doing?" she said angrily. "Are you even looking where you're going? Now look at the mess you've made!"

Harry tried to speak but no words came out.

After a few quiet minutes, Lily ordered, "Clean this up! And I want the papers arranged in order!"

"Mum, I'm very sor—"

"Now!" Lily yelled before stalking off, slamming her bedroom door shut behind her.

Harry never understood why his mother, Lily, treated him like a nuisance. She forced him to live and behave according to her wishes, which led to angry clashes between Lily and Harry's Hogwarts professors when she discovered Harry was struggling in some classes. Lily took out her frustration even more on Harry for not studying and learning as much as she wanted, believing it was the only way he could repay her for all her hard work at the Ministry and keeping him safe all these years.

Determined to prove himself after that incident, Harry studied extremely hard each year at school, even skipping meals and sleep to earn top marks. He succeeded, earning nods from professors and pats on the back from friends. Hermione, though undoubtedly the brightest witch, was truly impressed by Harry's newfound interest in academics.

But no matter how much Harry improved, Lily was never satisfied.

When Harry arrived home for the summer break, he was forced to do chores, clean the house, and study more material in preparation for the new term starting in September. However, when he refused the first day back, his mother lectured him extensively about every mistake he had made, until he eventually acquiesced and did as told.

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Harry stared at the door with a sigh. It had taken him almost an hour to organize the papers properly. Careful not to let them slip, he cautiously knocked on his mother's bedroom door. He heard footsteps, but she didn't open it.

Very slowly, he turned the knob. There was a commotion inside. Lily was rushing around, throwing things onto her bed where a bag stood open. She was wearing a dark blue robe. She stopped in her tracks when she noticed Harry.

"Are you finished?" she asked, holding her cloak. "Did you arrange them correctly?"

Harry nodded.

"Good," said Lily. "Put them on the bed."

Harry hurried to comply.

"I'm running late and have to rush out," Lily sighed, glancing at the clock that showed it was already fifteen minutes past seven. "They changed the meeting time to seven thirty and I can't be late."

Harry frowned, concerned. "But you haven't eaten. Surely they'll understand if you're a few minutes late."

"No, they won't," she said flatly, gathering up her papers with a slight frown. "But it doesn't matter, I'm not hungry now anyway." She avoided his gaze.

An awkward silence fell between them.

Harry bowed his head, feeling guilty and embarrassed. "I'm really sorry about earlier."

"No need to apologize," Lily said briskly, her eyes on her paperwork.

"But it was my fault, if only I had slowed down a little—"

"I said, no need to apologize!" Lily looked at him sharply. "It's done. Now, if you don't mind, please leave me be." She turned her back on him.

Harry sighed indignantly, unable to move. Though accustomed to this treatment, discomfort still overcame him each time. He cast a final glance at his mother before silently leaving the room.

When the door closed behind him, Lily burst into tears, hating herself for acting this way. Though deeply regretful, she felt at a loss for how else to behave in front of the son whose existence made her life so miserable.

Lily examined her changed reflection in the mirror. She had lost weight, her face now sallow, shoulder blades protruding sharply. Her limp, dull hair framed a gloomy countenance. Unwilling to see more, she looked away.

Cloak fastened and bag slung over her shoulder, she prepared to leave.

Lily entered the kitchen without Harry noticing. She watched him for a moment as he prepared breakfast and realized just how much he resembled James, from his stature to his perpetually messy hair. Overcome with longing, Lily wished she could have James back again.

"Harry—" she began.

At the sound of his name, Harry flinched in surprise, accidentally slicing his finger with the knife in his hand. The knife clattered to the floor as Harry cried out in pain.

Alarmed, Lily rushed over. "Harry, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, it's nothing," Harry said quickly, concealing his injured hand.

"Let me see your hand," Lily insisted.

Reluctantly, Harry held out his shaking, bleeding hand.

"You call this nothing?" Lily asked in disbelief, grabbing her wand from her pocket and casting a healing charm.

"Mum?" Harry said hesitantly.

"Hmm?" Lily replied, looking up from her spellwork.

"Remember when Ron invited us to the Burrow for my birthday tomorrow? And to stay for the rest of the summer?" Harry eyed his mother nervously as he made his request.

Lily looked at her son, eyebrows furrowed. "Harry, I don't think—"

"But I was thinking," Harry cut in desperately, "after your big meeting, it would be the perfect time to step back, relax...and go to the Burrow."

Lily sighed. "Harry..."

"Mum, I was really hoping you could come to the Burrow for my birthday tomorrow," Harry pleaded eagerly. "You could finally meet all my friends."

Lily regretfully shook her head, and Harry's excitement deflated.

"You're not coming..." he said quietly, lowering his eyes as his hopes were dashed.

With a long sigh, Lily explained, "I tried to get the time off, but work has just been too busy lately."

Harry's ears rang with disappointment. He had been so looking forward to sharing his birthday with his mum, but now that thrill was gone.

"I'm so sorry, dear," Lily said sincerely.

"It's okay," Harry muttered half-heartedly, turning away to hide his dejection as he walked off.

The gloomy weather matched Harry's mood as he stepped outside the apartment, though Lily followed him out without speaking further despite their earlier conversation. She had a habit of showing care or affection only briefly, whatever the topic, before moving on like it never happened. It wasn't that she didn't care, but rather that she avoided feeling too much.

"I'll be home at eight tonight," Lily told him. "We've got a big, complex case that requires extra attention. It's a nightmare, really."

"Eight?" Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You're kidding, right?"

"Kidding? Of course not," said Lily. "Not that I know of."

Harry frowned. "But Mum, what about my assembly?"

Lily raised her eyebrows. "Assembly? What assembly?"

Harry stared at her incredulously. "The Recognition Assembly to announce the students' standings at Hogwarts—the one I've worked so hard for all year. Does that ring a bell?"

Lily thought for a moment, then said, "Oh right, the Recognition Assembly! I didn't forget about that. It's—"

"Tonight. Seven o'clock," Harry interjected, finishing her words.

"Oh honey, I'm so sorry," Lily said miserably, putting her head in her hand. "I shouldn't have acted like I forgot. I'm just so focused on finishing my report..." She looked at Harry and saw the disappointment in his eyes, despite his attempt to hide it. "I'll try my best to be there, Harry."

Harry was silent for a moment.

"Harry?" Lily asked gently.

"Good luck with your report, Mum," Harry finally said with a small smile. "You'll do great." He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.

Lily smiled back. "See you later."

Harry gave a brief nod, sorrow still lingering in his eyes as he watched his mother cross the street. He turned and bumped into someone clutching a morning coffee that spilled all over his shirt.

"I'm so sorry!" apologized the man in the black hoodie. Lily heard the commotion and whipped around.

"Harry!" Lily rushed back, shooting a dark look at the departing man.

"I'm okay, Mum. Don't worry about it," Harry assured her. "You don't want to be late."

"After I cast a cleaning spell, I'll go," Lily said. She pointed her wand at Harry's shirt. "Tergeo!"

"Thanks."

"See you tonight."

"Yeah." Harry smiled and waved at Lily's retreating figure.

To be continued…