"I'm pregnant." – Lily said one, unbelievably long and stressful minute ago. She let her friend to try to process the information, but Marlene just gaping at her with slightly opened mouth while thousands of thoughts flashed through her brain. – "WOULD YOU FINALLY SAY SOMETHING? – Lily yelled when she couldn't bear the silence anymore.

Marlene almost jumped up from the wooden chair next to the small dining table, but quickly tried to pull herself together. She cleared her throat. "Uh… I erm… Congratulate?"

Lily rolled her eyes and dropped her head on the table with a growl. Marlene watched her in silence again; frankly she had no idea what she should say. She let out a deep breath and stood up, walked closer to Lily and wiped her ginger lock out from her face. She raised her head up and looked at Marlene; her bright green eyes were more tired than ever. "I have no idea what should I do no." – She said honestly. – "I can't raise a child. I'm a child. James is a bigger child than anyone!"

Marlene bit back a chuckle and a sarcastic comment – it wasn't the time. "Really, what did he said?" – She asked, sitting down next to Lily.

"He tried to comfort me, telling me everything's will be fine, we'll get through this… you know him. He's showing himself strong but I can tell he's afraid too."

"Don't worry, they probably drinks all of our firewishkey with Sirius right now; I'm bet fifteen minutes later all of his fears will be long gone." – Marlene replied, half joking, half scared they will really destroy all of their alcohol. Lily let out a small, exhausted chuckle before Marlene stood up again. – "Speaking of alcohol…." – She was searching for the kitchen cabin for something strong, but her hopes vanished quite soon. – "Giggle water? Why do you only have giggle water?"

Lily shrugged. "We never really drink without you. We only have giggle water because James thinks it's really funny and loves to annoy me with it."

"Isn't he Prince Charming?" – She smiled, but also furrowed her eyebrows. Seeing Lily still looked desperate, she walked back to her. – "Listen… I know it seems like a dead end, but you'll really get through this. And these aren't just empty words. Yes, James is probably afraid too; but it doesn't mean he won't do everything to keep all of you safe." – She paused, watching her friend's features lightly softened. – "And don't forget the kid going to have the best aunt and uncles in the world."

"Are you kidding me?" – Lily huffed, but couldn't hide her grin. – "If it's on you and Sirius my child will be on concerts at age six."

"Excuse me, but what's the problem with that?" – They both laughed for a short, relieved moment before a painful silence intruded them again.

"I'm scared." – Lily whispered then, her big eyes are teary.

Marlene gulped and looked away; of course she was afraid. Who wouldn't be? It isn't enough they were too young; they're in the middle of a war. It was risky, it was way too dangerous, but how could she just tell that in her face when she was already so scared? Her eyes fell on the picture on the wall; the picture which was taken what seemed an eternity ago. Lily and James were dancing in front of a fountain, carelessly and cheerfully – it made Marlene smiled. Seeing them together somehow always made her smile.

"I want this baby." – Lily's voice woke Marlene up suddenly. – "I really do. It's just…"

"It's hard." – She finished. – "And it will be. But it will worth it. I'm sure you'll be the most amazing parents in the world. You just need some time. And we'll help in everything."

Lily smiled back at her kindly; a single teardrop streamed down on her cheek. They talked a lot in the next few hours, trying to figure it out what will happen next.


Marlene smiled and shook her head when she saw Sirius and James in front of their apartment, hugging each other and speaking with a voice what screamed they had way too much drink on that night. No firewhiskey for me then, she thought before walked inside the house with slow steps; the boys haven't even noticed her presence.

She collapsed on her bed in the moment she stepped into the dark room. She closed her eyes and let out a long sigh into her soft pillow; she felt herself more exhausted than after any battle they fought in so far.

Because it was another kind of battle. She didn't lie to Lily, of course; she meant everything that she told her. It was irresponsible, it was dangerous, it was stupid; but seeing how her friend was completely in shock too, how much she was afraid, Marlene knew the best thing she could do now is trying to comfort her and offer every help they have.

She turned around and stared the ceiling which looked grey in this hour, as the moon lighted up the night. This war seemed never ending and raising a child right now…

Her bedroom's door burst open and Sirius fell on the sheets a few seconds later; a similar long sigh left his mouth, too. They haven't talked for minutes, but both of them were still wide awake. "How's James?"

"Panicked. Lily?" – Sirius said with a hoarse voice.

"Same." – They fell in silence again. – "Did you get drunk with James?" – Marlene asked, smelling the alcohol from his boyfriend.

"Hell yes."

She turned around to face with him. "This is unbelievable. I mean, I'd be so happy for them, but the circumstances…"

"Listen. I think the same, but they'll be in a safe place. They will do everything now to protect each other, and we will do the same. They kid will be fine." – Sirius said; his voice unsteady from the alcohol but still fierce.

Marlene stared off and talked in a low voice. "I hope."

Sirius wrapped his hands around his girlfriend and puller her closer, pressing small, soft kiss on her forehead. "I worry about them too. And it's fine. All we can do is support them in everything."

She looked up at him, smiling kindly and lovingly. "I love you so much."

"I love you too." – He said, but taken aback and frowned a second later. – "You don't want kids too, right?"

Marlene closed her eyes and sighed. "Sirius, with all my love… Never."

"Great." – He replied in a raspy voice. "Because me neither. Can you imagine us as parents? Merlin…"

A soft chuckle left her mouth. "That would be a disaster. But we can have a dog, maybe?"

"You already have one." – Sirius growled, causing Marlene to roll her eyes. – "What about a cat? I love cats. They're funny."

"I hate cats. But nevermind, having you is like having three, badly behaved dogs." – She grinned, burying her face into the crook of his neck.

"Mhm, very funny." – He murmured, trying to sound offended, but her presence at the moment was so calming he just wanted to cuddle her and fall asleep. He closed his arms tighter around her, forgetting about everything for at least the next couple of minutes.