Might not be 'lighthearted', but it's full of heart. I'd imagine that, while Britain might be devastated by tommy and his killer cattle, the rest of the world would step on him like a bug. I envision a Harry Potter attending Beauxbatons and meeting a bushy haired bookworm who's family fled 'the troubles'...

Very nice, just wish there was more.

Yo. That's what it should've been.

Beepkeeper has a story where James and Albus plan to sacrifice "the muggleborn" and "her child" to get rid of Riddle, while James loses nothing. There are muggleborns enough out there to reduce the inbreeding in the Potter family. Just take another one. She'll be gotten rid of at some time anyway to make place for a pureblood wife. Only for Dumbledore to betray James and have Riddle attack three days earlier that planned with James.

But canon James was much less intelligent even if such a plot did exist. He not only obeyed Dumbledore mindlessly, he also handed over the absolute perfect method to get out in case of an attack. Nobody, not even Riddle, can beat the True Cloak of Invisibility. Just to satisfy Dumbledore's academic curiosity. Yeah, sure. And Dumbledore never set them up to be killed, no sir. He's the Leader of the Light, after all, and everytime he said that he had to sacrifice on of his sheep minions he never meant the Potters. Impossible.

And then the old goat molester goes and DOES manage to sabotage the True Cloak of Invisibility. He's the only one who can, and only with his current wand, but he needs to know where his leftover sacrifice is at all times. Right?

No, getting out of the country is the only sensible action. Riddle seems to have been a British problem. AFAIK, it's not known if he ever attacked outside of the Isles until he chased down the Elder Wand. And France doesn't have to be the final destination.

Good short story, but there's two reactions to James doing a runner that I'd like to see. One is Dumbledore's sad, disappointed grandfather act when he finds out James and Lily have left the war and two is Riddle's fit of rage when he finds an empty house on Halloween eve.

I only wish there was more; I'd be very interested in seeing what happens if the Dark Dork attttacked, only to find an empty house...

Honestly, it would’ve made more sense to have Dorea & Charles be James’s GRANDPARENTS. Since his parents in canon are Fleamont and Euphemia Potter. It still wouldn’t take away from this alternate outcome, given it’s an AU and you could say his grandmother’s words were what inspired him to make this choice

This makes sense. It’s one thing to choose to fight in a war you because know the other side is cruel and inhumane (Death Eaters are cruel and inhumane because they consider torture and murder fun check book 4 where Voldemort was in hiding but several of his followers saw fit to attack the quidditch world cup that made the muggle baiting their own choice not something forced by their Lord btw their surprise after Voldemort’s ressurection shows that they had no idea Voldemort had been trying to ressurect himself), it is another thing to be forced to fight because your baby is being targeted for death by a powerful evil madman. If Voldemort hadn’t targeted Harry Lily and James would have stayed to fight because someone had to (evil can only flourish when good men and women choose to stand aside and do nothing) but the Prophecy made their baby Voldemort’s top target. He would focus all his energy into killing a fragile baby.

Personally, I think that's what anybody with a lick of sense would have done. Duty and honor is one thing, but the life of an innocent should ALWAYS come first.

Perfect! This is how it should have been!

While it doesn’t exactly match canon to the true name of James’s mother’s name, it works for this fic. And good on him, for leaving it all behind. Parental instincts indeed

Excellent short piece. It’s not hard to imagine Harry growing up with loving parents and his Paddy. Thanks.

I really like the story and think it could use a light-hearted sequel of old meddling fools trying to find them and a little family enjoying the french shore.

Very well written and an interesting path. You’ve opened the way for Harry to be at Hogwarts for the tri-wiz as a beauxbaton taught champion, and Fleur’s boyfriend. Oh, will Harry have two wives? Every story so far has it that Veela only have girls. Will he have another for the Potter line? I’m sure you have received pleas for this to be a full story and not a one-off, and this is mine. Use or don’t, this is your vision. You decide.

Really nice fic. I really liked your focus on family for James. Any chance for a sequel?

You know what would have been really smart? Still put the Fidelius charm and a few other wards on the cottage in Godric's Hallow to keep people thinking they never left.