Hey guys! This is my first fic ever. The idea was in my head for a while and only now I took courage to post it. This has been published at quotev too. Well, i hope you enjoy it and review to say what you think. I'll try to update as soon as I can. Have fun!

Disclaimer: Don't own anything except Charlotte, Isabelle and eventual OCs.

oOo

Chapter 1 - Prologue

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London, 13 February 1980

"You're looking ready to pop up anytime now, Belle" a pretty four-month pregnant redhead said brightly to her best friend.

"I know right" Belle, a beautiful brunette replied, while rubbing her swollen belly adoringly "I can barely wait to see my baby"

It was way past two p.m. and the cold winter breeze was blowing through the slits on the window. Two figures sat by the fireplace soaking in all its warmth, both of them, apparently waiting for someone to come as they constantly looked out the windows or stared at the door, with smiles adorning their faces.

"Do you know the gender yet? Sirius doesn't, it seems…" the redhead asked.

"Both Sirius and I agreed to let it be a surprise," Belle said. "Although, I confess it took a little bit of convincing to do it." The brunette let out a small chuckle.

Amused, the other woman could only laugh in response.

"If there anyone in the world to make him change, it would be you. I never saw you so happy."

"You have no idea, Lily"

Lily and Isabelle have been friends since their first year at Hogwarts. Being born in a pureblood family wasn't easy, but Isabelle never had much too fret about for her parents were not pureblood maniacs like many others around. She was taught blood equality and for that she was grateful, since most of her friends wouldn't have been accepted and deemed as scum.

She recalled the day they met – Lily and the Marauders, as they liked to be called – like it was just yesterday.

oOo

Belle was running late, very uncommon of her who always liked to be punctual. But it wasn't her fault really. She was just so excited to go to Hogwarts for the first time that she kept forgetting her things – her toothbrush, books and even her trunk – so she needed to return to her bedroom to get her things and go to the car.

Again.

When she finally arrived at King's Cross it was almost eleven, so Isabelle took off, dodging people sometimes muttering a soft 'sorry' after bumping into someone. After what it seems like yeas, but was just seconds, Belle and her parents finally made to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, she let herself be hugged briefly, took her trolley and then ran inside the big scarlet train.

She knew it would be hard to find a place to sit, however she didn't think it would be that packed. Everywhere was full and she feared she would have to stand the whole way to the castle.

Walking through the small corridor, Belle was almost sliding down the floor and sitting there, when she finally found a compartment with only two people in it. Sighing with relief, she knocked on the glass door gaining the attention of the two people.

Isabelle's POV

A cute eleven-year-old with flaming hair color and bright green eyes looked up as I made my way inside the small room. I gave her a small smile felling shy all of a sudden.

"Hi… Can I sit here? I can't find anywhere else… but it is alright if you don't want me here… you don't right? I'll just go…" I could not help but mumble when I got nervous.

The girl was just staring at me with a mixture of confusion and amusement, but she seemed to snap out of it when my hand touched the door handle.

"Sit down. We don't mind."

That would be an understatement.

I thought as I took a peek at the other person inside the compartment who looked as though wanted to set me on fire with his own eyes.

A boy no older than myself with greasy black hair falling down to his neck, pale skin and dark icy eyes who long lost interest in the Defense Against the Dark Arts for Beginners that was now resting in his lap. He was sitting in the far corner of the room as tough I portrayed a very contagious disease that he was trying to run away from, and at the same time those eyes glared at me blaming me for his loss of attention.

That almost got me running out the door, but as a turned around to the redhead, there was something so sincere, so alluring about her, that I did as she told me.

"Thank you," I said nervously "I'm Isabelle. Isabelle Selwyn"

Extending my hand towards her, I waited.

"Lily Evans." She shook my hand firmly "Nice to meet you. And that…" she mentioned to the sulking boy across us "is Severus Snape"

He merely nodded forcefully like he had something moving his head up and down against his will.

"Cool"

That was the only thing I could say. Not very smart.

Thankfully, Lily seemed to understand my uneasiness because she tried to start a conversation.

"So… what are you? A mean, blood related. Not that it matters, of course." She said that last part as if afraid I was offended by the question.

"Pureblood," I responded "but as you said, it doesn't matter… What about you?"

The redhead appeared relived after my answer she quickly spoke.

"I am a Muggleborn," Lily confessed "Much of a shock for me and my parents, you know… being muggles and all. But they accepted fairly well, looked excited and proud of me in a way. However, I don't think Petunia took it very well… she's my sister, you see." She told me after seeing confusion on my face.

"Mhmm… She just jealous of you. That much is obvious."

"That's what Severus told me once."

At his name, said boy peered above the book he continued reading, probably trying to forget my presence altogether.

However, before he could open his mouth to retort, someone opened the compartment's door and then four first-year boys made their way in.

The first one had unruly black hair sticking in weird directions – he knows there is such thing called hairbrush? –, hazel eyes covered by glasses and a stuck up attitude about him. Obviously, he was the leader of their 'pack'.

The second one, who was now besides messy head, was fairly handsome even for his age. He was slim and carried himself with grace and posture, as if a royalty. For all I knew, he could be. He definitely had the looks. Silky dark hair cascading to his shoulders. It appeared so soft, and she almost had the impulse to lean over and run her hands through it. Almost. He didn't need an inflated ego. The way his bright grey eyes surveyed the compartment eagerly and the slow sneer forming in his thin lips, told me enough to know about him.

Dung head.

But mom always told me not to judge a book by its cover. So…

Bringing up the rear, were two guys who didn't quite belonged there. One of them was very tall with slight tattered clothes. Medium length sandy hair and pale complexion, although I could see some light scars on his face, like he's been scratched by a wild animal. His soft blue eyes stared at the floor and his hands were fidgeting with each other, as if he was nervous his friends would do something stupid.

Finally, a short pudgy looking boy with blond hair and scared blue eyes definitely seemed out of place. He was nowhere near as good looking as the others, and from what Belle gathered, would be afraid of his own shadow.

"It seems this place is in need of a cheer up. I am James. James Potter. Who are y—"

James, the messy head with glasses trailed off, and I just noticed why the moment I followed his line of sight.

A certain Ms. Evans.

'Cute. Someone has a crush' I thought.

He was out of orbit, staring at her like she was the most marvelous thing he'd ever seen. Wouldn't be too surprised if he's started to drool over her, something I was almost sure it would happen any minute, had not a throat clearing snapped him out of his trance.

"Sirius Black," dung head introduced himself "and that is Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew." He finished pointing his thumb to the tall looking guy, that gave us a little embarrassed smile and then to the small boy, who only squeaked in response.

I heard of the Ancient House of Black. Pureblood freaks, the whole lot of them. Well, my parents once told me about one who's been burn off of the family tree.

Phineas Black, I guess. Apparently, he supported muggles rights.

Maybe not everyone in that cursed family is a lost cause.

Still, no one could blame me for thinking that boy in front of me, a snobby prat, what with the way he was looking at me, as if waiting for me to speak.

Wait.

He was still looking at me.

"What?" there was three people to choose from, so why should I be the one to introduce first?

The looks I got were answer enough for me to know I had no choice but to talk.

"…okay. This is Lily Evans," I spun my head in her direction "That is Severus Snape and my name is Isabelle Selwyn." I stopped and gave them a glare as if asking 'happy now?'.

Nothing was said as they sat down – without being invited, mind you – and started talking between themselves, at least James and Sirius, about Quidditch, ignoring us. Though I could see James sneaking glances at Lily's way. Remus, like Severus, had focused his attention in his own book and Peter was just trying to make himself invisible.

"… Holyhead Harpies' got nothing on Ireland. But they no worse than the Tornadoes. Lost to 60 to 310 against Bulgaria, embarrassing really. The snitch was right in front of the guy. How could he not see it? He was their seeker, for Merlin's sake!" James ranted in frustration "That's why I am trying for the Quidditch time next year, first years aren't allowed to play, unfortunately. I want to be a chaser… been training since I was a child…"

I wanted to say 'you're still a child, moron', but I could not help but grin at his determination, so I turned to Lily instead.

"Have you thought about what house do you want to be in? I think Ravenclaw would be great." I told her.

"I read Hogwarts: A History tons of times already and Ravenclaw looks like a good choice, but Gryffindor isn't that bad, either."

I guess she was right. We were so absorbed in our topic, comparing houses and its qualities, that we didn't noticed that the boys had stopped talking and were listening to our conversation, until Sirius cut in.

"My whole family has been in Slytherin"

"And I thought you were okay" James said playfully.

Sirius gave him a smirk. "Maybe I'll break tradition this year"

"I want to be in Gryffindor. It's the best house of all!" James said enthusiastically.

"If you rather be brawny than brainy, I guess"

That was the first time Severus Snape opened his mouth, much to Sirius and James displeasure who definitely looked offended by it.

"What do you mean?" James asked. Anyone looking closely would see a vein popping in his temple.

"Slytherin is the best house. Only the best end up there, everyone knows it. It is traditional as it always has since Hogwarts was built." Severus said and I could sense a fight building up.

"Only death-eaters end up there, you mean" James snapped "Just like you"

At the background, Remus had long stopped reading, Peter, it seemed, was almost peeing his pants, me and Lily were trying to defuse the tension with no success, and James, Sirius and Severus stood up from their seats.

"Better than being a Gryffindork, always trying to act brave, when in fact they all sore losers"

"Why don't you shut up, Snivellous?" Sirius sneered "Have you ever washed your hair? Don't come too close. Wouldn't want to have grease all over me."

James laughed at Sirius' joke. Neither Remus, Lily and I did.

Actually, Lily looked positively furious, for she all but stood in a huff, taking mine and Snape's wrists and dragging us out of the compartment, all the way screaming at the two retards, whom now were goggling at the redhead in apprehension.

"…no right to call him that! Have you no manners?" she seethed in rage "You're both big prats and if I never have to see your faces again, it still would be too soon!" then she turned to us "Let's go find another place to stay. Evidently, this place has been infested, besides we need to change into our robes. We're almost there."

With that, she only gave us enough time to get our belongings, then we took off.

oOo

The rest of the way to Scotland was made in silence, the three of us still too caught up in the confusion only minutes before. All the same, bad mood gave place to excitement as the train came to a full stop.

My first time walking through the Great Hall has been imprinted permanently in my mind. Ironically, the one thought that came was how magical that moment was. The lights, the exhilaration, the feelings and the people made the experience all the more worthwhile.

To summon up the sorting, the Marauders, Lily and I all got into Gryffindor, same as a few girls we met such as Marlene McKinnon, Molly Prewett, a seventh year, and Alice Fortescue and a lovely boy called Frank Longbottom - a second and third-year students. As for Severus, he got right where he wanted, Slytherin, on the other hand, he displayed every sign of being disappointed, with the way he created the impression of a kicked puppy as the Sorting Hat bellowed 'GRYFFINDOR' when it touched Lily's head.

Nonetheless, my years at Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft were greater than I expected. Lily and mine's friendship only increased as the time passed and so did mine with the Marauders – something Lily never understood why -, surprisingly. I discovered many things in common between us, such as our midnight snacks – main reason that we've started accepting each other -, and I found myself sharing my time between them. Oddly, Severus and I became friends after sorting out our differences and we found that we could actually have a good time together. That is, until our fifth year, when he, at the spur of the moment, called Lily a Mudblood, and like that, I saw their relationship go down the drain. And so did ours.

James, Sirius, Remus, Lily and I continued to act like family, even with all that has happened to break us apart. We cried, fought and fell in love together. Hopefully, we'll stay united to the very end.

oOo

"What about you, Lils... Do you have any name in mind?" Belle asked.

"Harold James" she told her friend with a smile "You can tell who's chosen the main name. James said amazing things should be passed onto the next generation… by amazing, I think he meant himself."

Both Lily and Isabelle laughed at that.

"Wouldn't be great if you were carrying a girl, Belle?"

"Why not a boy like you?"

"Because our babies would grow up together and then fall in love, get married…" she daydreamed.

Belle regarded the silly expression on the green-eyed beauty, suddenly breaking into a fit of giggles at the image, despite thinking the idea was absolutely adorable, her own self wondering if that would ever happen to their kids.

During their musing, a crack echoed just outside the house and three men passed through the now opened wooden door.

"…like you could ever beat me, Padfoot."

"He's done it once-"

"Shut up, Moony…"

"See, Prongs. Even Moony knows I can defeat you with my hands tied back" Padfoot let out a bark like laugh, looking at Prongs playfully.

"That only happened because I was distracted" Prongs retorted.

"Well, it was your own fault for staring at Lily, when you should be focused on your duel…"

"Whose side are you on, Moony?"

"You two still bickering like a pair of old ladies, I see."

Another voice, full of delight, cut in.

The young women, now very aware of the friendly banter, made their way to the men, the brunette bringing her husband to a lovely embrace, whereas the redhead had an arm drop around her shoulders.

"Cannot help it, love. Sometimes Prongs' ego needs to be knocked out a couple notches" The handsome man nuzzled her ear affectionately.

She grinned.

"You're not one to judge James' ego, Sirius."

"Ouch, darling. That hurt right here" he said good-humoredly.

"That would be far more convincing if you had the right place…" Belle replied moving his hand to the left side of his chest.

Every single day they spent together was like that, filled with laugher. The five of them knew dark times were coming. Living in the middle of a war, with Voldemort and his Death-Eaters taking over everywhere there was always the risk that one of them would end up dead, especially now that a prophecy was mentioned about James and Lily's son and they had to go into hiding at Dumbledore's request.

Still, they tried to make the best of the situation. Isabelle was due to any moment and Lily had a few months to go before their child was born. The guys' friendship was as strong and weird as ever – Peter being the only one straying far, constantly leaving to Merlin knows where -, and the Order of the Phoenix was finally receiving some leads about some members' absence. It wasn't much, but it was already something to look up to.

And so they spent their day chatting and eating by the fireplace. Lily, James and Remus on the couch and Sirius and Isabelle were left cuddling in the loveseat.

"I'll go get us more tea" Belle stood up, disentangling herself from her husband, going to the kitchen.

"Let me help you"

Lily followed her friend, leaving the trio alone in the room.

"So Moony…"

"No… Here we go…" Remus said, rubbing his temple tiredly.

"You are the only one of us who's not tied down… I mean, certainly there is someone you like, right? Anyone?" Sirius questioned, almost pleadingly.

Remus sighed.

"There isn't, Padfoot, and you know why."

"If this is about your furry problem, I'll have you know this is completely bulls—"

James was interrupted when a high pitched scream came from the next room, right where the girls were.

All of them stood straight in a jump, fearing what might have happened, and they all but ran to the kitchen. Remus, even if glad for the interruption, could feel his heart beating wildly in anxiety and fear of what they would find.

The first sight they had was Lily, worry fetched on her features, talking hastily to a sweating Isabelle that was bracing herself against the counter, a mixture of surprise and pain in her face.

"I think my water just broke."

That's all it took to hell break loose.

Sirius breathing became almost non-existent, actually, It didn't seem he was breathing at all. Panic made its presence and he just stopped there, no knowing what to do.

That is, until a Miss Potter started to scream like a crazy banshee.

"What is your matter, you idiots? She needs to go to the hospital. NOW!"

And like that, the men finally moved, Sirius taking his panting wife in his arms, then apparating to the hospital, being followed not even seconds after by the others.

oOo

They waited patiently – except Sirius, who was pacing fretfully – for six hours, and yet, no news.

"Sit down, Sirius"

"I can't Lily, not 'til I see her…"

She exhaled but didn't say anything.

In that instant, a loud cry was heard and a nurse came in their direction not long after.

The mid-age woman looked worn off but the sincere smile on her face reassured them everything was okay.

"She is asking for you, Mr. Black." The nurse beckoned him to trail behind her.

James, Remus and Lily, doubtful if they should go or not, stayed in the waiting room, but the woman signaled for their presence too, and so they went, walking slowly as to let the future daddy enter first.

Belle was laying in the hospital bed, her face red and sweat covering the sheets, then she peeped up when he made his way in, extending her arm as if telling him to come closer. When he did, Isabelle took his hand in hers, intertwining their fingers as he caressed her palm with his thumb.

"I love you, Sirius…" she said weakly.

His eyes told her everything she needed to know. He would never leave her. No if he had a say in it.

"… I love you too, my Belle."

After lots of pushing, screaming and swearing – from Isabelle's pushing or Sirius' breaking hand, not sure – a baby cry filled the room, and after hours of pain, the new mommy fell down to the bed in exhaustion and relief.

"Congratulations, Ms. and Mr. Black. You have a beautiful baby girl."

The many times they thought they had been happy, nothing could be compared to that moment. The feeling when you hold your child for the first time was indescribable.

When the nurse gave her the infant, Sirius circled her shoulders with his arm, and together, they soaked in the girl's beauty.

The little girl was an almost perfect copy of her dad, except for her tiny nose and heart-shaped head. A tuff of chocolate brown hair sprouting from her head was a picture-perfect mixture of her parents. Her skin was pale, but her cheeks had a natural blush and huffed softly through her pink lips with each breath she took.

That instant, the glass door opened and their three friends came into the room, Molly and Arthur Weasley behind them, two-year-old boys, twins, in their arms.

"We came as soon as we could" Arthur said standing in the back.

"Do you need anything, dear? Is everything alright?" Molly. Always the sweetest.

Both Sirius and Belle beamed at them, but otherwise, refused.

"We're okay, but thanks" he said.

"Come see her"

At that Lily squealed in joy.

"A girl! I told you, Belle. Our kids will look great together…" and then, the dreamy look returned.

The others almost sweat-dropped, but neither James or Sirius dared say nothing to disagree with the hot-tempered redhead.

"So… Sirius and I were talking and we decided," Belle paused, then stared at Remus and Lily "Would you like to be the godparents?"

"Of course I would, Belle. Thank you, thank you" Lily smiled animatedly.

However, Remus didn't look fond of the idea.

"You know my condition… I would be a no good for godparent… I don't think I am cut out for this…" he mumbled nervously.

The new parents already knew the drew by heart. Remus was too conscious, but also a good-hearted man. Only he could not see it. Always thinking himself unworthy of love.

"Nonsense, Moony." Sirius said with finality "We already decided. There is no one better than you"

"He is right, Moony" James added.

"Remus…" Isabelle pleaded.

The man sighed, knowing he lost. Nonetheless, he felt very glad his friends choose him with such important part in their daughter's life. He always thought James would be the godfather.

"Alright."

The others beamed, and Remus, for once, didn't felt all alone.

"Mommy, mommy…"

"What is it, sweetheart?" a seven-month pregnant Molly questioned the boy in her arms.

Little Fred, or George, pointed to the baby who now was in her godfather's arms. Her eyes opened and all in the room could testify bright honey-grey eyes taking the first look at the world.

"Have you decided a name, yet?" Arthur asked gently. The ginger was glad to make part of such beautiful moment.

Sirius turned to his wife, a curious feeling in his eyes for he hadn't thought about it, being so caught up seeing his daughter being goggled at by his best friends.

Belle took a glance at her little girl and determinately said.

"Charlotte Grace Black."

oOo