Disclaimer: Harry Potter does not belong to me, he belongs to the talented J. K. Rowling. What is not recognisable belongs to me. I only do this for fun, not money.
Chapter One
8:00 a.m., Monday 31st December 1979
Godric's Hollow
James stood in the kitchen making breakfast for his wife of three years, for the fifth time that week. He'd actually been making her breakfast for a couple of weeks, though he had had a few days where he hadn't done so. On those occasions, he'd had early morning Quidditch practice. He should've been at practice this morning, but he wasn't. He had the day off, but not because he wasn't needed at practice. It was because he had arranged to take the day off so that he could take his wife, Lily, to see her healer.
He turned the stove and the toaster off before taking a breakfast tray from a cupboard and loading it with Lily's breakfast. The appliances were rather new to James. Even though he'd had three years to get used to using them, he still found it weird using them. James was used to using magic for everything; he'd grown up around magic. Unlike his wife, James was a pureblood wizard. To James's family, whether you were pureblood or not, it didn't matter, it was your personal character that mattered. His parents had been overjoyed beyond belief when he'd told them that after dating Lily for six years, they were getting married.
He carried the tray upstairs to his wife and placed it upon the duchess in the room he shared with her, before crossing into the bathroom where his wife was. "How are you feeling now, sweetheart?"
"Shouldn't you be at work, James?" Lily asked, looking up from her position on the floor by the toilet.
"I've got today off so I can take you to see the healer," James stated rather matter-of-factly as he joined his wife on the floor.
"James, this is the last time I going to tell you. It's just a tummy bug! I'm fine."
"Tummy bugs don't last for two or so weeks, Lily."
"What are you insinuating James?"
"That you should see a healer, that's all. I swear."
"I know you too well, James. If you don't tell me now, I'll get it out of you later. So, for now, all I can say is thank you for tying my hair back for me."
"I couldn't let your hair get covered in sick. It's one of the three things that I absolutely love about you."
"What are the other two things you love about me, lover boy?" Lily asked with a somewhat impish smile.
"You already know, my little flower," James smirked lightly, as he leaned over and attempted to lightly kiss Lily on the cheek. At the same time as James' attempt at kissing his wife's cheek, his wife turned away to be sick again.
After a couple of minutes she raised her head and wiped her face on the back of her hand. James handed her a wet cloth at this point, his face framed by a rather grim look. After quickly wiping her face with the cloth, Lily glared at her husband. "I'm not going to see a healer."
"Oh, really?" James asked bemusedly before continuing in a more commanding and dominating tone. "I made an appointment for you to see Healer Chamberlain at two o'clock this afternoon. I will be going with you, so there will be no arguments."
With his last word spoken, James stood and left the room. "Are you going to get a shower this morning Mr 'I-can-boss-my-wife-around-because-I-play-seeker-for-the-English-Quidditch-team' Potter?"
"I had a shower earlier. I always wake up at five. My body doesn't seem to know what it means to sleep in," James replied, ignoring Lily's slight innuendo. "I'm going to go and read downstairs. Shower, get dressed and eat some breakfast, then come downstairs. Ok, Lils?"
"Sure," Lily replied submissively as James disappeared downstairs.
"Lily! Honey!" James called through the house.
"Yeah? What's wrong James?" Lily replied worried as her husband entered the room where she was busy folding and ironing clean washing.
"St. Mungo's just called. Your appointment time's been changed. They had a cancellation and figured that they could fit you in at eleven, which means we have half an hour to get into London. Do you feel up to apparating or going by floo?"
"I'll floo. I don't feel up to apparating. So to support me, can you floo too?" Lily begged, giving James her best puppy dog face.
"I'll wait for you in the kitchen. Ok, sweetheart?"
"Thank you. Can you grab some money, 'cos I'd like to go shopping after my appointment?"
"Sure. I'll see you in the kitchen, then."
11:00 a.m.
St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, London
Lily and James sat waiting in the waiting room of St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, both of them nervously waiting to be called in to see Healer Chamberlain.
"Mrs Potter, you can come through now," one of the nurses called gently.
Lily and James stood up and followed the nurse through to Healer Chamberlain's examination rooms hand in hand. The closer they got to Healer Chamberlain's rooms, the more scared Lily became. As the two of them reached the door, Lily took a deep calming breath. Her action caused her husband to take her hand that he has a firm grasp upon and kiss it gently, before giving her a look that said it all – I'll be there for you all the way.
"Hello Lily, please take a seat upon the bed. James, if you want, you can sit beside her," Healer Chamberlain stated, indicating the bed, before continuing. "So, Lily what brings you here today?"
"I didn't really need to come in at all; James just insisted that I do so. It's just a waste of your valuable time, Healer Chamberlain."
"Please call me Yvonne. My work involves getting up close and personal with my patients. So, James, what isn't your wife telling me?"
"She's been sick for the past two weeks," James answered quietly before Lily could say anything that would contradict him.
"Is this true, Lily?" Yvonne queried.
"Yes, it is," Lily replied bewildered.
"When have you been sick? In the morning, afternoon, evening, or all day?"
"Mostly in the morning and occasionally all day," Lily replied before seeing the look on Yvonne's face and feeling the need to say more. "Sometimes I just feel sick at the sight of some foods or the smell of them."
"Lily, I need you to think for a minute. When was your last period?"
"You can't possibly think that I'm pregnant. It's just not possible. James and I have been taking precautions. In case you haven't noticed, there is a war on."
"Lily, just answer her question," James pleaded quietly.
"Not since about October, I think," Lily answered, just as quietly, realising the path that the conversation was now taking.
"Well, considering that you've been sick for two weeks, that isn't really surprising. James could you please move to the chair, please?" Yvonne calmly requested before turning to Lily. "Lily, I want you to lie back on the bed for me."
"Ok," Lily replied, her voice wavering as she spoke, complying with Yvonne's wishes.
"You're going to feel a slight tingling sensation for a second. Pregnacio revalo." At Yvonne's words, a baby's rattle appeared above Lily's abdomen, confirming James' suspicion. Yvonne noticed James' reaction to the baby's rattle and instantly realised his profession. "You're an Auror, aren't you James?"
James merely nodded, not daring to mention that working as an Auror was his secondary profession.
"James, what is this supposed to mean? What is so shocking about it?" Lily asked worried. James didn't reply to her simple question.
Yvonne answered for James. "The rattle means that you're pregnant." At these words, Lily's face paled considerably.
"I-I'm pregnant?" Lily stammered, receiving a gentle nod from the healer and a reassuring squeeze from her husband.
"Would the two of you like a few minutes alone to talk?"
"That would be great," James replied, knowing his wife was really in no mood to talk. Yvonne smiled gently and quietly left the room. "So how do you feel about this?"
"I don't know. When we got married I told you my feelings about having a family. Right now I guess..." Lily managed to say before trailing off.
"Our constant involvement in the war doesn't help, does it sweetheart?" James murmured quietly.
"No it doesn't," she mumbled, as her husband's hand moved to wipe her tears away, gently brushing her cheek as it did so.
"Do you want to have the baby? As much as we each know that we want children, ultimately it comes down to whether or not you feel that we can keep the little one safe between now and when he or she is born as well as afterwards. I know that I can protect you and the baby, but I can only do so much. However, I am willing to do all that you ask me to."
"I want to have the baby. After he or she is born, we'll protect them together. Before then I guess I'll have to bear with you and put up with you becoming overprotective of me," she replied after several minutes of silence, before kissing James softly on the lips.
"Do you want to know the sex of the baby?" James asked as they pulled apart, smiling as he did so.
"It would save us a lot of time. We'd only have one list of names to look through, for one thing. So, yeah, I want to know, if it's possible to do so."
"I'll go and call Yvonne back in, ok?" He murmured quietly before leaving the room at Lily's approving nod. He returned a few minutes later closely followed by Yvonne.
"Before we continue I need to know your decision. Lily, James. I would like to know what your decision is about the baby," Yvonne requested.
Lily looked at James as if to say 'Are you sure about this? Once we take this step there's no turning back.' He merely nodded. He was sure about it. "We're going to have the baby and we'd like to know what sex it is, if possible."
"Ok, then let's continue with the exam. As with the last spell, you will experience a slight tingling sensation. It won't harm the baby in any way. Pregnacio timus revalo." At Yvonne's words a small scroll appeared. The healer unrolled the scroll and read the following: "Week of Pregnancy: 8th. Due Date: August 2nd 1980. Sex: Boy – magical in nature. Do you have any questions, before I continue?"
"I have one. What restrictions are placed on me in my present condition?" Lily asked, propping herself up on her elbows.
"No alcohol, extensive potion brewing, smoking of any substance, strenuous activity such as playing sport, chasing dark creatures etc and no apparating. As you are muggle-born, I am going to warn you not to drink anything or eat anything containing excessive amounts of caffeine. That's about it on the restrictions. I'll give you a booklet which should tell you all you need to know. If you have any questions that aren't answered in the booklet, feel free to contact me or get hold of one of the midwives or texts mentioned in the booklet."
"Thanks. Now can we please finish this as I think James would like to spend the rest of the day celebrating?" Lily quietly stated, drawing a smile from those present.
"Ok, let's continue. This time I'm going to actually apply something to your body. Unfortunately for you and the baby, it is rather cold, despite our best efforts to keep it at a comfortable temperature. Once the gel has been applied, I will run this over your abdomen," Yvonne stated, holding up a weird looking object for Lily to see. To both James and Lily it looked like a rather useless pestle due to a slightly rounded and smooth base. It appeared to be devoid of edges. "While I get all this ready, can you just step through into the changing room there and put this gown on. There's only enough room in there for one person, so I'm afraid James will have to wait out here," Yvonne finished with a slight smile as she handed Lily a pale blue hospital gown to put on. Lily did as asked, despite her obvious nervousness.
"What do I need to know that Lily doesn't?" James asked once Lily was out of the room.
"Your son is going to be born two days premature, on the 31st of July. That's all you're privileged to know as an Auror."
"Thank you."
"Before I forget, I'll give you the booklet for Lily as well as the one we are required by law to give to all Aurors when they are expecting a child." With her last word spoken, Yvonne walked over to her desk and withdrew from it the two booklets she had mentioned, being careful to cover the one for James with the other.
James accepted the two booklets from her as Lily returned and carefully placed them in the back pocket of his jeans. Lily had practically begged him to wear several different types of muggle clothes when they'd gotten married three years prior. He'd relented fairly quickly, particularly when Lily pointed out that when turned upside down, nothing embarrassing would happen. As an Auror and a professional Quidditch player, James found this to be particularly enticing. Lily's begging needn't have really happened, as he had been raised as the Minister for Magic's only son. In this position James had been forced into wearing various outfits he found uncomfortable. On one particular occasion he had travelled with his father to meet the muggle Prime Minister, meaning he had to wear muggle clothes. After the meeting he'd gone home and started practicing Quidditch without bothering to change. By the end of his practice session James had discovered the advantages of muggle clothes and had worn them every chance he could get since that day.
"Just climb back up onto the bed please Lily and place your feet in the appropriate places. I'm sure you can guess what's going to happen now."
"Yeah, I think I can too," Lily replied as she took James' hand again and gently grasped it, as Yvonne placed a sheet over her legs.
"As I said before the gel is a little cold and there is nothing that can be done about it," Yvonne stated clearly as she squirted some of the gel onto Lily's lower abdomen, before picking up the pestle shaped object and applying it to Lily's abdomen. "This will tickle a bit. Just look at the slate here and you should see your son."
12:00p.m.
Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, Diagon Alley, London
An hour later, after what had been for James and Lily the most memorable moment of their short lives, they sat eating ice cream in Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour talking with two friends.
"So, James. Why've you got the day off? Last I heard you're supposed to have practice today," the male of their two friends asked.
"I took today off so that I could make sure that Lily got in to see Healer Chamberlain and didn't cancel the appointment. What about you, Frank?"
"Alice hasn't been feeling very well lately, so I offered to take today off and take her in to see her healer," Frank replied before taking a bite of his strawberry sundae. "What are you two talking about?"
"Children and how we both want some," Lily replied giving her husband a knowing smile, while Alice did the same with Frank. Lily noticed the look that Alice gave Frank, despite being somewhat preoccupied with James. Alice on the other hand didn't notice the look Lily had given James until Lily spoke. "So, Alice, when's the little one due?"
"July 22nd and it's a boy, with wizarding potential. So, when's your little one due?"
"August 2nd and I'd say we need to find two really nice young witches for our boys," Lily smiled as she spoke and took a deep breath before continuing. "I have this feeling that Minerva isn't going to be happy, when she finds out that one of the biggest troublemakers that Hogwarts has ever seen has started breeding already."
"Did you have to say that my little flower? I wasn't really the biggest troublemaker Hogwarts has ever seen. Sirius was. I gave up on making trouble at the end of sixth year."
"Oh, is that so? I know what you get up to when my back's turned. You better put a stop to your constant prank pulling before you start working for the Little Whinging Police Force," Lily commented as she ate the last of her triple chocolate fudge and raspberry sundae.
"You got one of the scholarships? How'd you get it?" Frank asked, shocked.
"Have you forgotten my wife's heritage already? They place the applicants who are either married to a muggle or muggle-born or those who have a parent with some form of muggle ancestry at the top, as they should theoretically know how to cope in the muggle world. I fit into the former of the two categories. So, I'll spend the next two years working as a muggle police officer. I start next week. My muggle boss will know that I'm a wizard, so if something that is suspicious to them happens, I'll be automatically put on the case. I guess this means you're going to have to find a new partner," James quietly explained, as he pushed his sundae dish to the centre of the table.
"Yeah I guess so. Look, why don't you and I leave these lovely ladies to their own devices, and go look around in Quality Quidditch Supplies?" Frank suggested as he stood to leave.
"You're on," grinned James, who then turned to his wife, Lily. "If you see anything you like, you know the drill. Is that ok sweetheart?"
"Don't be too long ok? We've got people coming over tonight. So, if possible, can you two meet back here at four?"
"Certainly Lily," was all the two men said in reply before they kissed their wives goodbye and left.
"Well, that gets rid of them," Alice said breathing a sigh of relief. "Oops, spoke too soon."
"I forgot to give you this before I walked off," James explained, slightly breathless as he handed Lily the booklet he had been told to give her.
"Thank you. Now buzz off. Alice and I have some important business to attend to," Lily stated giving him a look that said 'I mean it.'
James got the message and left. "So, are you ready to become a mother?"
"I don't know. What about you Alice? Are you ready to become a mother?" Lily countered.
"Good point. I don't think anyone would really be ready to have a family when they find out that they're going to have one. When you do feel ready, you're in labour. At least that's what I heard," Alice replied introspectively. "Well, I guess we have some shopping to do. We each have a son to prepare for."
"First stop, Madam Malkin's or if you need to, Gringotts," Lily chorused cheerfully, as she slowly stood to leave. When she'd left St. Mungo's she'd stood up a bit too fast and had felt dizzy for having done so. Yvonne had told her why before she'd left with James. It was because of the constant changes occurring in her body.
"Ok, then Gringotts it is. I have to get some money out, before I can go and get some new robes, as well as go to Gladrags."
With Alice's last word spoken, the two women left the Ice-Cream Parlour and stepped out into the cold December air, pulling their cloaks tightly about them as they did so. The two of them walked in silence before one of them could get the nerve to continue their lunchtime conversation. It was Lily who spoke first. "Thought of any names yet, Alice?"
"Not really. Frank and I talked about what we'd like to call any children we might have when we first got married and we didn't really agree on any ideal name back then. What about you and James?"
"We only know what our son's middle name will be. His first name we have until he's born to decide on."
"What's his middle name going to be?"
"James. It's a tradition in James' family for the first born son to have his father's first name as a middle name. That's only half the tradition though. The other half says that James and I must agree on our son's first name and it is not allowed to be a family name from either side of the family."
"Out comes the family tree then, for both sides. I could make the ancestro potion for you. It would help your name search greatly."
"What exactly does the ancestro potion do, exactly?"
"It can outline on a piece of parchment or fabric charmed to expand as required, a person's family tree. I'll make enough so both you and James can trace your ancestry properly. Drat, I'll have to ask Severus or Frank to make it for you instead."
"I was wondering how long it would take you to remember that you aren't allowed to brew that sort of potion. I asked Severus to make it for me and James before term ended. He said he'd have it ready for me by the next time I see him. All James and I will have to do will be add our blood," Lily replied, laughing ever so slightly as she did so.
"What do you teach?"
"I teach History of Magic to all seven years. We had Binns banished a year ago. Albus offered me the job and asked Remus if he wanted to take over the Dark Arts job from me. It took James a week to talk Remus into taking the job. Hogwarts has all Remus needs and he's accepted by ninety-nine percent of the staff. During the first week I was asked to make sure Remus was adjusting to teaching alright. He was enjoying it, particularly because Albus arranged for him to have an assistant to help him with his classes, when required. The students are also enjoying not having a ghost teaching them History of Magic."
"Sounds like you and Remus are having fun."
"We are. James, Sirius and I think that this job is the best thing that's ever happened to Remus. He finds it hard to get a job anywhere," despite the fact that the 'Young Werewolf' organisation asked him to be a caregiver for them straight out of school. Of course, he has to have an animagi nearby to help out with the cubs he looks after, said Lily being ever so careful to finish what she wanted to say as a thought.
"Didn't Remus get all O's for the subjects he studied in his NEWT year?"
"Yeah he did. Why he finds it hard to get employment is a rather personal reason," Lily explained carefully. "You'll find out Remus's reasons tonight."
"So he's coming tonight?"
Lily nodded, pushing open the door that led into Gringotts and swallowing a sudden wave of nausea. "I think I'll wait for you at Madam Malkin's. If I stay in here, I'll hurl."
"I'll see you there then," Alice replied, smiling knowingly as she continued on into the bank, while Lily left the building.
Fifteen minutes later, Lily was busy getting fitted for some new robes when Alice finally joined her. "Find anything decent Lily?"
"I've found a few things. I'm having them adjusted to accommodate the changes that are going to occur in the next few months. After I've finished getting the appropriate clothes here in the Wizarding World, I'll move on to the Muggle World for more. After that we go and buy for our little ones in both worlds. However, under no conditions are we to tell our husbands of our actions, they must discover them for themselves."
"Sounds great Lily, however unlike you, I don't have as much money at my fingertips. I prefer not to spend Frank's family's money."
"Alice, since you seem to be unwilling to be a shopaholic with me, I suggest you drag Frank out shopping for the necessary items."
"Man, you're bossy, Lily."
"My bossiness is what keeps James on track, so I'm always bossy."
As Lily finished speaking the shop assistant finished her work on the robes. "Your robes are finished."
"Thank you. How much will that be?"
"That will be twenty galleons, ma'am."
"Can you please charge it to Gringotts vault number twenty-two?" Lily asked.
"We can definitely do that, ma'am."
"Thank you," Lily replied graciously, before turning to her companion. "Do you need to get anything here?"
"Yeah I do. Do you mind waiting for me?"
"I was going to anyway. I need to sit down for about quarter of an hour. My ankles are getting at me already."
5:00 p.m.
Godric's Hollow
"James! Can you please do something for me?" Lily called.
"I'm busy!" came James' reply.
"It's after dark. I'm sure Alice doesn't want her husband frozen to the bone, besides it's going to snow again in a few hours," Lily began before letting her temper take over. "So get in here now!"
"Ok, that's the potatoes done. What else do you need me to do Lily?" Alice asked as Lily took a deep calming breath.
"In the top of the freezer over there, there should be a bag of frozen corn."
"How do you open the freezer?" Alice asked incredulously.
"Just lift the lid. It's one of the easiest muggle appliances to get into. James loves it in the summer and when he's had practice."
"Why's that?"
"You'll see when you open it," Lily replied with a slight smile as James entered.
"What do need me to do, sweetheart?"
"I need you to get the biscuit tins out of the cupboard. Once Alice and I have finished organising tea, we're going to do some baking then turn the vegetables on at twenty to six. Is that ok for you Mr 'I'm-going-to-be-sleeping-in-the-spare-room-for-a-week-because-I-got-my-wife-pregnant' Potter?"
"Yes ma'am!" To make his words all the more ridiculous James saluted his wife, only to be greeted with a glare and laughter from his friends.
Two hours later, the four friends stood in the kitchen of Godric's Hollow doing the dishes and talking when several distinct pops were heard in the living room. Several shouts of pain were heard before one of the new arrivals came through into the kitchen and greeted James with a loud emphatic, "Jamie boy!"
James didn't turn to greet the newcomer. James and Frank had been sentenced to doing the dishes on their own. "Hello Sirius. I would greet you properly, but I'm in trouble with Lily."
"What did you do to incur your lady love's wrath?"
"Ask Lily."
"What about you Frank? Why are you doing the dishes?"
"Ask Alice, it'll be quicker." At Frank's words Sirius looked as if he was game enough to incur the wrath of the two women, however Remus stepped into the conversation.
"When's the baby due, Lily?" Remus' question earned a shocked silence from all of his companions, except for James and Lily. Despite not being shocked, James and Lily kept quiet.
"How'd you know that Lily's pregnant?" asked Alice.
"Her scent. It's the full moon in two days. So, Lily, are you going to answer my question or not?"
"August 2nd and it's a boy," answered Lily rather sheepishly.
"What about you Alice?"
"July 22nd and like Lily, I'm having a boy. So, you're a werewolf?"
"Yeah, the world's worst magical curse, Lycanthropy."
"Does anyone know why Dumbledore is calling this meeting?" James asked, attempting to tear the conversation away from the ladies.
"All I know is that it may have something to do with Voldemort's current activities or it may just be a meeting full of boring reports," Remus replied with a slight yawn.
"Why are you yawning? The full moon hasn't been yet," asked James suspiciously.
"I'm one of the 'Young Werewolf' caregivers, which you should already know. At the moment I have two toddlers and a teenager in my care. The youngest one of the three is actually a baby. He's only eight months old. His parents took him camping with them when he was four months old. That's when he was bitten. His parents detest magic in any form, so in a way he should be thankful he got bitten."
"He's muggle-born?" Frank queried with an arched brow, clearly looking for clarification.
"Yeah, he is. I mainly deal with children of magical blood, since I'm a Hogwarts teacher. Sarah – that's the teenager – is looking after the little ones this evening with some help from my parents. She was abandoned by her parents shortly after being bitten at the age of three. I'm practically her father and there is never a day that goes by that she doesn't remind me of it. She calls me dad despite the fact that she knows that I'm not her father. The Werewolf registration guys put her down as my adopted daughter a couple of weeks after she was found. She's eleven this Easter, so she's not really a teenager yet. She's been in my care since the end of my seventh year."
"I believe it would be best to get this meeting started," said a stern voice from behind the group of friends.
"We'll be through there in a few minutes. I'll just grab the refreshments and have my willing personal servant carry them through," Lily replied as she gave her husband a simple demeaning glare.
James did as asked and then took his seat in the lounge where the meeting was taking place. Due to his age and abilities James made himself comfortable on the floor with Lily in front of him. Alice and Frank took the same stance and making sure to grab a couple of cushions like James and Lily had done. It was to be a long meeting, full of reports, mission scheduling and discussions.
The meeting lasted for nearly four hours and included a photo of all the Order of the Phoenix members present. After everyone had left, Lily and James headed upstairs to bed.
"When are we going to tell everyone the good news, sweetheart?" asked James as he wrapped his arms around his wife's waist, after entering their bedroom.
"I don't know. Maybe in a few weeks when I'm showing. I know Alice and Frank won't say anything as they also have to wait a bit before they say anything," was Lily's simple reply.
"When we do say something, to anyone else, we'll tell our parents first won't we?" he asked as Lily turned in his arms to face him.
"Yes we will. Your parents in particular," she answered, smiling at him.
10:00 p.m., Wednesday 30th July 1980
Godric's Hollow
Lily felt a sharp pain tear through her lower abdomen and back. This isn't good, she thought to herself as she attempted to mask her pain from the other people in the room. When she had managed to recover from her pain, she noticed Alice sitting across from her, attempt to do what she had just done. Frank didn't notice, but then again James had failed to notice Lily's pain.
". . . a month since this prophecy was made and I have already managed to discover what it means. I have already asked Minerva to keep an eye on the Book of Life, tomorrow, as the person mentioned in the prophecy will be born tomorrow."
As Albus finished speaking, Lily felt another burst of pain. This time however, Lily made no attempt to hide her pain, thus drawing her husband's attention. Lily had no need to speak to James, for actions spoke louder and clearer than she ever could. "Albus, I'm sorry to say this but we're going to have to cut the meeting short," stated James as briefly as possible, while getting to his feet. He then hauled his wife to her feet. "Just relax, ok sweetheart?"
Lily managed a quick nod in reply before James left her on the couch to grab a few things from upstairs. When James returned from upstairs everyone except for his friends and former head of house had left. His former head of house had a torn expression on her face. The reason was evident in Alice's actions. Frank was nowhere to be seen. "James, I think you'd better take Alice with you and Lily."
"Frank went to get my things. He'll meet us at Mungo's," came Alice's strained voice through her clenched teeth.
"Remus, can you lock up and make sure Sirius leaves before you do. You guys can either meet us at Mungo's or just go home and wait for news. Whatever you do, you'll still have to tell Remus' kids what's happening. I'll see you guys later," said James quickly and smoothly before turning to the two pregnant women in the room. "Ladies, are you ready to go?"
10:55 p.m.
St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, London
"James, it's probably just a false alarm. I haven't had a contraction since we left home, so can we please go home?" begged Lily, as she attempted to cover up another contraction.
"Yvonne is going to be in here any minute to see how you're going. Yvonne will tell you what is happening when she gets in here. Is that ok with you, sweetheart?"
Lily didn't answer him. Instead, she glared at him, radiating fury with every inch of her face.
"How are you feeling Lily?" a gentle feminine voice asked from the doorway.
"I'm fine. Yvonne could you please tell James here that I'm fine and don't really need to be here?" pleaded Lily.
"Not until I've examined you," Yvonne replied with a gentle smile.
Lily groaned, knowing what Yvonne's words meant for her.
Ten minutes later, Yvonne spoke again. "Lily, you're three centimetres dilated, so I'm afraid you're going to be spending one long night in this room."
"You're kidding, right?" Lily asked in shock.
"No, I'm not."
At Yvonne's words, Lily dropped back onto the pillows behind her and ran her hands across her face and through her hair, before feeling another contraction take hold. "James, hold my hand," squeaked Lily as she held her hand out to her husband.
"I'm here sweetheart," replied James softly as he kissed her hand.
"I'll be back to check on you in an hour, if that's ok with you, Lily?" Yvonne asked. Lily nodded her approval as James began to coach her through her breathing exercises.
3:55 a.m., Thursday 31st July 1980
"Lily, I have some good news for you. You're fully dilated and therefore ready to go," said Yvonne cheerfully to one very sweaty and uncomfortable Lily.
"I was wondering how much longer I'd be in this blasted room," retorted Lily irritably.
"We don't like to move women in labour, so I'm afraid you're going to be staying in here. Right now I want you to relax and take a couple of deep breaths, before we continue, ok?"
James chose this moment to kiss Lily's hand again. His action helped Lily to relax and bring her back to what was ahead of her. With his free hand, James pushed a stray lock of Lily's hair back, before kissing her briefly on the lips. "Are you ready to do this, my Lily flower?"
Lily nodded her reply. She was as ready as she could possibly be.
"Lily, next contraction I'd like you to start pushing, ok?"
Lily nodded in reply before feeling her next contraction start. As asked, Lily began to push, while attempting to crush her husband's hand.
Half an hour later Lily and James sat talking, as their newborn son contentedly devoured his first meal outside of his mother's womb. "I can't believe that we did it."
"No, you did it Lily. I was only support and fifty percent to blame for putting you through so much pain. He's beautiful like his mother."
"James I couldn't have done this without you. Without you, I don't think I could have gone through what I've just gone through."
"I guess you're right. We're a team and we always will be," replied James, before he leaned over and kissed Lily passionately on the lips. He pulled away when he heard someone clearing their throat behind him. James turned to see Frank standing in the doorway. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with Alice?" asked James.
"Alice told me to leave. She doesn't want me in there with her, right now. So, how does it feel to be a father?"
"It feels great, though I really can't describe how I feel at all. You'll know how I feel right now, soon," replied James.
2:00 p.m.
"How are you feeling sweetheart? Have a good sleep?" asked James as he sat down on the edge of his wife's hospital bed.
"I feel exhausted and I had a relatively short labour. Alice gave birth to her son Neville, half an hour ago."
"So they called him Neville. How's Harry?"
"He's asleep. How was work?"
"I've been on leave for the past two days. Say, Lily, when did your water break?"
Lily went red at James' question. "It broke yesterday afternoon, just after lunch."
"Why didn't you tell me?" asked James incredulously.
"It broke when I went to the toilet. I didn't think anything of it at the time. I suspect that Yvonne had some spell that she did to tell her that my water had broken. So, did you get the nursery fin-?"
"What are you doing here Albus?" interrupted James, drawing Lily's attention to the door.
"I need to talk to the two of you about the prophecy mentioned during last night's meeting. It concerns young Harry, although there is a chance that it might not. When will you be returning home Lily, as it will be safer for me to talk to you about it at home?"
"I don't know."
"I passed Yvonne on the way in and she said that you might be able to go home later this afternoon, that's after she's checked you over," said James suddenly.
"How about you visit us at home tomorrow? You can call us before you come, to check and see if it's still ok," smiled Lily cheerfully.
"I'll do that. I'll see you two tomorrow sometime around three shall I?" asked Albus. He received a simple nod in reply from James before he left.
"I wonder what's so important about the prophecy that Albus needs to talk to us," wondered James. For Lily's benefit, he had said this aloud.
"I don't know. We'll probably find out what he's on about, tomorrow," replied Lily.
6:00 p.m., Friday 1st August 1980
Godric's Hollow
"I can't believe it. Just because of one little insignificant prophecy, we have to go into hiding."
"James, calm down. We're not the only ones going into hiding, in case you've forgotten what Albus said. Alice and Frank are in the same position."
"I guess you're right. Unlike Alice and Frank, I happen to come from a very influential and powerful wizarding family. To make matters worse, as far as the Death Eaters and Voldemort are concerned, I married below my station."
"James, I thought that you didn't care about social status or Death Eaters?"
"I don't. It's just it'll be what the Death Eaters and Voldemort will target us for. Alice and Frank are both Purebloods. Dumbledore only told us first because we're a mixed marriage."
"Don't you work as a muggle police officer, James?" asked Lily. "Wouldn't that make you just as big a target as me and Harry?"
"I guess you're right. We'll just have to try and keep a low profile, until Voldemort is gone."
"Agreed. Until then we'll just have to live each day as it comes as well."
5:00 p.m., Saturday 31st October 1981
Godric's Hollow
James made his way into the bedroom he shared with his wife, to find his wife sitting in front of her duchess talking to herself. "Talking to yourself, again sweetheart?"
"I'm talking to the twins. James I'm scared. Voldemort has been getting more frantic lately and quite frankly, I'm worried about Harry's safety. I don't trust Peter either."
"Harry will be fine. My mother knows what she's doing when it comes to defending herself and a small child. She's not exactly defenceless and neither is Harry for that matter," smiled James as he remembered the show of accidental magic Harry had put on the day before. "Come on, it's time to go."
"Alright, but if I feel that Harry is in danger we come straight home, right?"
"Right, although we shouldn't need to."
10:00 p.m.
Padfoot Manor
"James, I think Harry might be in danger," trembled Lily suddenly.
"Are you sure?"
Lily simply nodded in reply. Her simple action caused James' face to pale considerably.
"Albus! What is the status of the wards surrounding the Hollow?" called James to a tall man with a long flowing white beard and hair.
At James' words the man, Albus as James had called him, took something from his pocket. Before he could get it out of his pocket though, a loud ear splitting alarm was heard. At the sound, they heard several loud howls join the calamity. "Voldemort has breached the wards. We must go to the Hollow at once. Lily, James it might be best if you remain here," commanded Albus.
"Albus, you can't make us stay here. We have-"
"Lily, I am only asking you to stay here for your own safety. Harry will need his parents. Sirius, Minerva you're in charge. Don't let these two leave. I will return as soon as I can."
1:00 a.m., Sunday 1st November 1981
Lily lay on the couch in the living room of Padfoot Manor, unaware of her husband's anxiety. Her husband, James, was glad of her being oblivious to how he was feeling. As far as he was concerned, she had enough to worry about without knowing how worried he was. The sound of a door closing brought him out of his silent reverie, only to return to it when he saw his best friend of fifteen years enter the room.
"Prongs mate, I'm sure they'll be fine. Your mother isn't exactly defenceless and Harry's been showing signs of magic since the day he was born. If anyone has the right to blame themselves for anything that happens tonight, it's me. I talked you into changing your secret keeper to Peter. I should've known not to trust Peter. I shouldn't have tol-"
"Sirius you weren't to know that Peter wasn't to be trusted, although we weren't to know when we cast the spell as to whether or not he could stand up to torture."
"I guess you're right Prongs."
A loud crack and a flash of flame alerted them to a note, sent to them by Albus. James took the note and read it aloud.
"James,
Come to Godric's Hollow at once. Do not bring Lily this is not something she should see. You shouldn't have changed your secret keeper. Apparate, it isn't safe to floo.
Albus"
"Do as Albus asks, I'll keep an eye on Lily."
James nodded before disapparating with a silent pop.
2:00 p.m., Tuesday 3rd November 1981
Potter House, London
Two days had passed since the fall of Lord Voldemort at the hands of a one-year-old wizard. James' mother had died that same day. She had sacrificed herself to protect her firstborn grandchild from Voldemort. Some people already believed that her sacrifice had been in vain. James knew what most people didn't. He only knew because it was his son that many believed had died on Halloween with Isabelle Potter – James' mother.
James paced in the living room of the house where he had lived not long after graduation. He hadn't been back to this house in five years. The memories this house brought back were of carefree teenagers, surviving their university years. Before those days, James had only stayed in the house once a summer for seven years and each time only lasted two or so days. The rest of the year had been spent at his family manor and school.
Dumbledore had come round the day before to talk with him and Lily about what the wisest move for them would be. The three of them had spent several hours discussing their options. The decision they'd come to was that James and Lily would remove themselves from the Wizarding World. The reasons they'd come up with for the move were good sound reasons. Their reasons had basically been that it would be safer for Harry in the end.
While debating what their options were about giving Harry a normal life, they'd talked about where they would live. As soon as they'd started on that topic though, Lily had been forced to point out that they had to live somewhere with a connection to the Floo Network, as there was no way she was going to give up work. James and Lily had had to explain to Albus their reasons for not going completely muggle in their ways, aside from the obvious factor of work. Lily was pregnant with twins, who they already knew to be magical and girls.
James stopped his pacing of the living room to stand in front of the fireplace and thought of the reasons that had led him to return to the place where he'd spent four years of his life. Lily's words on the matter floated back to him. "The manor contains too many magical items for us to be able to remove Harry from the wizarding world, so we'll have to use Potter House in London. It's our only real choice." James didn't really like the idea at all, however a simple thought of his own drifted into being at the front of his consciousness silently approving of the protective measures. I'm only doing it to protect Harry. James looked up at the portrait hanging above the fireplace and attempted to smile. The portrait was pulling silly faces. "Grandfather, no more funny faces please. I have to take the charms off your portrait. You have to behave like an ordinary muggle portrait from now on, for Harry's sake. You won't be the only portrait getting this treatment or the last in this house to get it."
A/N: If anyone can tell me where I can find a list of past full moons I'd be grateful.