"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the war room!"

President Merkin Muffley, Dr. Strangelove.

A/N: Welcome to my new story; 'Fifteen months'. I'm a big fan of the Marauders and have long known that I wanted to write a story about them once I'd finished with my original series. There's plenty of stuff out there about their time at Hogwarts, a lot of it very good, but little about this period of time; the fifteen months between Harry's birth and James and Lily's deaths and I think it makes for an interesting setting. This fic will have a little bit of everything in it; comedy, action, adventure, romance, angst and emotion as James tries to deal with fighting a war while raising a family and balancing his love and trust for his friends with protectiveness for his family as it becomes known there is a spy among them and his friends are slowly divided by suspicion.

Those of you who are familiar with my work will know that I like to write large scale battles and there'll be one or two of those in here (this story will probably be a Novella). I largely follow canon, though James and Sirius work as Aurors and the Potters may go into hiding at a slightly different time, and the dates are all meticulously researched and accurate as far as I can find out. Veterans of my two previous Novels will recognise a certain OC and this story will fit work as a prequel to those but in no way do you have to read them to get the full effect of Fifteen months. So without further adieu, please read on and remember to review and tell me what you think.

Prologue:

Monday 12th May 1980.

Albus Dumbledore forced an interested look on his face as he peered over his half-moon spectacles at the young woman before him. Sitting in a private room in the Hog's head, he wearily listened as a batty-looking witch with thick glasses spoke supposed words of divination in an exaggeratedly mystic tone of voice. It was against his better judgement to allow the continuation of the subject at Hogwarts, but he thought it prudent to meet with the woman in front of him after he had received her application for the job of professor; she was, after all, the Great-Great-Granddaughter of the revered prophet Cassandra Trelawney. The headmaster was, however, disappointed that the witch seemed to have inherited none of her ancestor's talent and he was about to interrupt her theatrics when something caused his focus to sharpen on the scene before him.

Sybil Trelawney suddenly sat bolt upright, her predictions coming to an immediate halt as her breathing became raspy and erratic.

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches..." The witch began, her voice harsh and uneven. " … Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies …" It was at this point that Albus became aware of a commotion outside, but he maintained his focus on Sybil Trelawney as the prophecy continued. "... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not … and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives. … The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies…"

As Dumbledore carefully considered the implications of the words she had just spoken, Trelawney slowly came out of her trance, blinking confusedly before meeting the gaze of the headmaster.

"I do apologise Professor," She spoke. "I must have dropped off for a second, continued focus on the inner eye can be most draining on one's body."

"Quite," Dumbledore agreed, thinking through his options before quickly coming to a decision. "Well I think I have heard enough Miss Trelawney; your gift of sight is plain to see and I would be delighted if you agreed to become the Divination professor at Hogwarts once the new term begins."

Surprised but pleased, Sybil quickly agreed before hastily finishing her sherry and leaving Albus alone to his thoughts. A knock on the door brought him out of his reverie and the headmaster summoned the person inside.

"Sorry for the interruption professor," a rough-looking wizard, whom Dumbledore recalled was a waiter at the inn, said as he popped his head in the door. "Found a Death Eater snooping round outside, I told him, we didn't want his sort in here."

"Who was it, if I may ask?" The Professor enquired, keeping his voice steady as his mind reeled at the information.

"It was young Severus Snape."

Chapter 1

Thursday 31st July 1980:

The sleek, black Triumph Bonneville T120 raced through the streets of London at speeds approaching 115 miles per hour, swerving in and out of the dense traffic with apparent ease as the rider expertly navigated his way through the capital's side streets. Safe in the knowledge that he was hidden from muggle eyes by his bike's cloaking charm, Sirius Black gunned the throttle yet harder, his mind focused on just one thought; he had to reach his friend. Lily could be difficult to deal with at the best of times but with a little person forcing its way out of her, well, 'personal area', Sirius couldn't help but fear for his best mate's safety; James had a tendency to speak before thinking.

Screeching to a halt outside the innocuous building known to the wizarding world as St. Mungo's hospital, Sirius jumped from his prized motorcycle and sprinted inside, ignoring the disapproving looks of the hospital staff. Running through the mazy corridors of the hospital as he desperately searched for the right ward, it was only after he had passed the same screaming, bearded woman five times that Sirius thought it might be a good idea to ask for directions.

"Where the hell have you been?" Remus asked as his friend skidded to a halt in front of him.

"I was in Belgium when I got your message," Sirius replied as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Why were you in Belgium?" Wormtail enquired as Remus rolled his eyes, knowing that they would receive an insane answer.

"I fancied some ice cream. Now where are James and Lily?"

"They're in the delivery room," Remus said, "but I don't think you should-"

But Sirius wasn't listening, over-excited about the birth of his godson and a new marauder. "I'm coming Prongs!" He cried and, before anyone could stop him, he charged through the doors to the delivery room.

The next thing Moony and Wormtail heard was the blood-curdling scream of their friend, followed by a bellowed "Get out!" And Sirius Black was blasted back through the doors, crashing into the opposite wall.

"Are you alright Padfoot?" Remus asked as he and Peter helped Sirius to his feet.

For a minute, the animagus didn't say a word, his eyes wide and unseeing and his face deathly pale as his mouth hung open in a silent scream.

"It's awful in there guys," he finally murmured, "like something from a horror film."

"What do you mean?" Peter asked.

"Have you ever seen Alien?"

"Yes," Remus replied as Peter just looked confused.

"Remember the scene where that thing bursts from Kane's stomach?"

"Padfoot I don't want to know!" Remus cried, putting his fingers in his ears and desperately trying to banish the mental image from his mind.

"At least you didn't see it," Sirius said as he conjured himself a seat and plopped down into it. "How do you think I feel? That image is now permanently burned into the back of my retina. I really didn't need to see Lily from that angle."

"I dare say that under normal circumstances you wouldn't have complained," Remus pointed out with a smirk. "Half of the witch population of Britain would testify to that."

"You flatter me Moony," Sirius replied. "It's more like a third."

They chatted for a while longer before they were interrupted by the sound of a door opening and, as one, the marauders turned to see the exhausted but beaming face of James Potter poking out of the delivery room.

"It's a boy," he announced, looking slightly dazed. "Lily and the baby are just fine and it's a boy. I'm a Dad."

Padfoot, Moony and Wormtail rushed forward to congratulate their friend, embracing him as a brother, before they released him back to his young wife and newly born son.

"Damn." Remus muttered when he was sure James was out of hearing range, handing over three galleons to a smirking Sirius.

"So what's his name?" Sirius asked, gently poking the small, pudgy form of his Godson.

It was an hour and a half later and the rest of the Marauders had finally been allowed to see Lily and her newly born son.

"Don't poke him Sirius," Lily responded sternly. "We haven't chosen a name yet."

"How about Blackbeard?" Sirius suggested, causing Lily to lean back and close her eyes tiredly, realising that it was going to be another insane Marauder conversation.

"Good." James replied, considering the name. "But what if he doesn't grow up to have a black beard? Then it would just be ridiculous."

"I've always liked the name Remus." The werewolf spoke up.

"Spiderman." Sirius shouted enthusiastically.

"I've always liked the name Remus."

"How about Peter?" Wormtail asked.

"I've always liked the name Remus."

"Hey," James cut in, "if he's going to be named after anyone, it's me. Prongs Potter, it has quite a nice ring to it."

"We're not calling him Prongs Potter." Lily spoke up for the first time.

"How about Spartacus?" James asked.

"Too common," came Sirius' reply.

"Common?" Asked a bemused Lily.

"Yeah, have you seen the end of that film? They're all called Spartacus."

"Sirius I don't think they're actually..."

"I've got it!" Padfoot exclaimed. "Darth Vader Potter."

"Sirius." James replied. "You. Are. A. Genius! What do you think Lils?"

Lily sighed, fighting to keep a smile from her lips. "I think you're a bunch of raving lunatics, but what else is new? James, what do you think of Harry?"

Sirius looked at her as if she'd gone mad, but James smiled.

"I like it," He spoke sincerely. "Harry Potter. What about a middle name?"

"How about James?" Lily suggested, prompting a smile from her husband.

Remus looked up, "You know I've always liked the name..."

"Shut up," James interrupted. "Harry James Potter it is."

At that moment, the door to the ward opened and in walked a beautiful young woman, with layered, deep brown hair down to her shoulders and vibrant blue eyes, a healer's uniform covering her slim frame.

"How are you feeling Lily?" The healer asked, only to turn around in shock as a loud thump rang out behind her.

"It's for the best." James assured her, as she looked down concernedly at the gagged and bound form of Sirius Black.

"Sirius' self-control around beautiful women is next to zero at the best of times." Remus explained. "Adding a healer's uniform to the equation isn't a good idea."

The healer looked amused and smiled at the Marauders before turning back to Lily. After putting mother and baby through a number of tests (Lily got an O, but Harry didn't answer a single question correctly), the nurse left and Sirius was freed from his restraints.

"That wasn't very nice," He said as he dusted himself down.

"Maybe not, but as you were looking at her as if you were about to mount her, I think it was necessary," James responded.

"Who was she?" Padfoot turned to Lily.

"Her name's Rachel," Lily wearily admitted. "She's a healer and friend of mine, who happens to have a boyfriend."

"That's not a problem," Sirius replied cockily.

"It is if you don't want to become a eunuch," Lily said threateningly. "My friends aren't your sexual playthings Sirius and if you break her and Jonathan up for a one night stand, I will personally neuter you."

"Maybe we should leave you two in peace," Remus suggested as Sirius reflexively went to protect his gentleman's area.

"Don't worry about her," Prongs said as he escorted his friends from the ward. "Hormones."

James Potter would always remember the end of that sentence as the moment he was knocked unconscious by a flying bedpan.

Walking over to the small cot as his young wife took a deserved sleep, James looked down at the snoozing child within and smiled. He had found himself doing that a lot in the last few hours; as much as this new responsibility scared him, as soon as his gaze landed on his son, he couldn't help but feel his heart soar. Though it was difficult to say that the pudgy little form before him looked like anyone in particular, James thought he could see signs of his own features in his son and the mop of messy, black 'Potter hair' spoke for itself. Harry's eyes, though, were pure Lily. James thought back to the moment he had first held his child in his arms and experienced a rush of all-encompassing love, more powerful than any magic he had ever felt. Then his son had opened his eyes and James had gazed down in awe at orbs of magnificent emerald green and the elder Potter felt his heart falter with emotion as they seemed to shine as they stared back up at him. He would remember that moment for the rest of his life.

After an exhausting day, though he was loathe to mention his own tiredness to Lily, the young wizard was content to collapse in a comfy chair and simply stare at the boy he had helped to create as his tiny chest steadily rose and fell. But at that moment, he saw Harry's face scrunch up and his movements became jerky as he started to emit small whines. Jumping up, James put a silencing charm around his wife's bed to allow her a little peace and quiet before turning back to Harry, who was now wailing at full volume.

Glancing around in panic, James picked up his son and desperately tried to remember what he was supposed to do, before his nose gave him a rather forceful reminder. He briefly wondered how pathetic it would look if he simply went to a mid-wife for help, before steeling himself and deciding just to get it over with. Laying his son down, the young wizard decided to give him a second to make sure he was finished before removing the dirty nappy and letting out an exclamation of disgust as he reflexively backed away. Conjuring a bubble-head charm upon his person, James Potter gasped in the clean air to freshen his lungs before wearily edging forward, his wand at the ready in case his son decided to greet him with a spray of urine or worse.

A quick vanishing charm and the soiled nappy was taken care of, but the next part could only be done by hand, so James conjured some rubber gloves and raised a shield before putting his wand down and picking up some baby wipes. As it happened, the shield had been a good idea as, halfway through the operation, he was met with a 'biological attack' of sorts. The Marauder ducked away but needn't have worried as the shield did its job and, a few minutes later, his mission was complete. James raised his arms and laughed in celebration only to go red with embarrassment as he was met with a chorus of cheers, whooping and applause.

Turning to the door, James saw all his fellow Marauders gathered there, along with Albus Dumbledore and, as he glanced around, he saw a very amused Lily Potter sitting up in bed, shaking her head at his bubble-head charm, shield and bright yellow, rubber gloves.

"Why didn't you just use a switching charm?" Sirius asked and James' face fell as looked to his wife.

"Harry would still have needed to be cleaned up Sirius," the muggle-born witch replied. "James did very well, even if he did approach changing a nappy in the same way he would a duel with a Nundu."

"Auror or not Lils, I would approach a duel with a Nundu by running very quickly in the opposite direction." James said with a grin.

"Congratulations James, Lily," Dumbledore spoke up, his eyes sparkling with delight as he looked upon some of his favourite former students. "Have you made any decisions on the name of this newest Potter?"

"Thank you Albus. I'd like to introduce you to Harry James Potter," Lily replied. "Would you like to hold him?"

The headmaster accepted and spent the next five minutes or so playing a furiously contested game of tug of war with his own beard before telling the Marauders and Lily that he had to get back to Hogwarts. Pausing at the doorway, he turned and James observed a strange expression on the old warlock's face before it disappeared to be replaced with a smile once more.

"James, Lily, there is something I wish to discuss with the two of you when you have the time. There is no immediate urgency and no need to worry but I would be greatly obliged if we could speak in private sometime over the next few days."

James and Lily looked at each other.

"How about tomorrow afternoon Albus?" Lily suggested.

"Splendid," The professor replied. "I will pop by around two O'clock. Good day and congratulations once again."

At two pm the next day, there was a knock on the door of Lily's room and Albus Dumbledore walked in. He exchanged pleasantries with James and Lily before escorting the two new parents out of the room, leaving Harry in the capable hands of Sirius and Remus (Remus was, by Lily's insistence, in charge).

"What is this about Albus?" James asked as he followed the headmaster through a corridor, noting once again that the old wizard had a strange expression upon his face.

"It is best we speak in private," Albus replied simply, smiling reassuringly at the couple.

He led them to a secluded room and opened the door to allow them inside before securing the room with layers of protective charms and wards. Conjuring three comfortable chairs, the old wizard then motioned for a concerned James and Lily to have a seat, before dropping into one himself and steepling his hands together.

"I am sorry to interrupt the joy the birth of your first born has doubtlessly brought James and Lily, but some months ago I happened upon some information that, I now realise, may pertain to you," Dumbledore began his speech. "You see I was interviewing an applicant for the post of Divination teacher, one Sybil Trelawney, when her voice grew hoarse and her eyes unfocused and she delivered what I believe to be a true prophecy."

James felt his apprehension grow further and his hand reached for Lily's while his other gripped tightly on the chair arm as he wondered what this had to do with him and his young family.

"What did the prophecy say?" Lily questioned quietly, the trepidation quite clear in her voice.

"It said; the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies … and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not … and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives. … The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies…"

Lily gasped, her hands flying to her mouth in shock as her eyes widened and looked to Dumbledore to confirm her fears.

"What does it mean?" James asked in confusion as the headmaster nodded to Lily.

"It means," Dumbledore began, "that the one with the power to defeat Voldemort was to be born to parents who had thrice escaped him, born at the end of July and that he must either defeat Voldemort or die at his hands."

"It means Harry," James muttered in dawning fear and dread, his mind turning immediately to thoughts of his beautiful baby boy at the mercy of that inhuman monster. "Albus, he's just a baby; he won't reach his majority for seventeen years and I'll be damned if you expect me to stand aside and allow this to happen. If Voldemort wants Harry, he'll have to climb over my cold, dead body to get to him."

Dumbledore raised his hands and gave James a small smile of reassurance.

"James, I assure you that I would never dream of asking you to allow Harry to face Voldemort alone, whether it be now or when he is a man. The prophecy could be deciphered in any number of ways and there is another to whom it could refer."

"Neville." Lily said, just coming to this realisation herself as she still battled with the shocking news the old professor had just delivered.

"Quite so. Alice and Frank Longbottom have also defied Voldemort three times and, as you know, their son Neville was born yesterday. They too have been told of the prophecy."

Dumbledore paused and tiredly rubbed his eyes as he prepared to give his final, crushing piece of news.

"I do not wish for the two of you to become yet more concerned with this matter but I would be remiss if I didn't warn you of the danger you now face. You see, as Sybil was delivering her prophecy, a Death Eater was spying upon our meeting and, while he was discovered and removed from the premises part way through the reading, it is very likely that he heard the beginning. I know I don't need to tell you how seriously Voldemort is likely to take this information and I fear that young Harry has become a major target of his."

Lily's eyes filled with tears and her heart sank as Dumbledore's words sunk in, before her gaze turned to her husband as he squeezed her hand, trying to fend off his own feelings of dread and devastation.

"What would you recommend we do?" He asked.

"We will increase the wards on Godric's Hollow, but at present I don't believe it necessary for you to go into hiding completely. Harry will, of course, be under your protection at all times and I think it best that he is only taken out under the guardianship of a larger group."

James and Lily nodded their agreement after sharing a glance.

"We'll only move Harry out the house when it's necessary," Lily spoke. "And when we do, we'll be sure to have Sirius, Remus and Peter with us."

"I think that's wise," Dumbledore replied. "I don't wish to keep you from your child any longer, so if you have no further questions, I will take my leave and begin preparations for the expansion of the wards on your home and that of the Longbottoms."

James and Lily confirmed that they had no further questions and, as Dumbledore vanished the conjured chairs, started to head for the door in a slight daze.

"James, Lily," Dumbledore called after them as they opened the door and they turned to find him with a slight smile on his face. "Do not allow this to cloud the joy of Harry's birth; he will be well protected and it does not do to worry about things we cannot change."

The next few days passed by in a flash for the Potters as they grew accustomed to their newest and littlest member, tests and visits from friends breaking up the monotony of hospital life until Lily and Harry were given the all clear. Dumbledore, with the aid of Sirius and Remus, had heightened the wards on the Potter's home in Godric's Hollow and so James, Lily, Remus, Peter and Harry found themselves in the hospital foyer, bags packed and ready to go home but waiting, as usual, for Sirius Black.

"Sorry I'm late," Padfoot grinned as he casually strolled into the hospital to glares from the others.

"What took you so long?" Lily asked, annoyed.

"I was kept late at the theatre; I'm starring in a West End production of the Sound of Music."

"Oh," James responded. "Wait, What?"

"Sirius you're not starring in a West End musical." Lily said.

"I bloody am!" Sirius exclaimed, outraged. "I told you all about it months ago."

"I think that's the kind of thing we'd remember," Remus chipped in. "Especially considering the fact that we've heard you sing and, I'm sorry to tell you mate, you're no Freddie Mercury."

Sirius glared at his lupine friend. "I'm telling you, I told the lot of you when I first got the part. You especially should remember Remus, you read lines with me."

"What?" Remus asked incredulously. "No I didn't."

"You did, remember, it was on that trip we took to the French Riviera."

"I've never been to the French Riviera."

"Thinking about it we might have been in the Three Broomsticks," Sirius muttered, pondering.

"Hold on," James interrupted. "Isn't the star of the Sound of Music a woman?"

"Yes," Sirius replied, clearly not seeing the problem. "What's your point?"

"Anyway," Lily spoke up, deciding they should get going before the St. Mungo's head healers decided that her friends and husband should be kept inside. "Now Sirius is here, we can get going home."

The others agreed and the Marauders visibly sobered in their demeanour as they prepared to step out of the safety of the hospital and into a war-torn world to escort the Potters home. Sirius and James led the way, scanning the area as they nervously fingered their wands in their pockets before signalling that Lily should come out with Harry. Remus and Peter brought up the rear and the whole group piled into a car and promptly drove away; Remus in the driver's seat as the others kept a keen eye out the window, wands in hand as they steeled themselves against a possible attack. Fortunately, that was not to be and after nervous hour of driving, they arrived at Gordric's Hollow.

James breathed a sigh of relief as his wife and son stepped safely over the threshold of their home and under the protection of Dumbledore's powerful wards. As an Auror, James was more aware than most of the horrors the Death Eaters and their master were capable of and the thought of any of them so much as looking at Harry or Lily sent a shiver up his spine. These were dark days for the wizarding population of Great Britain as Voldemort's rise seemed utterly unstoppable; the Dark Lord grew in power and influence by the day and his actions were getting bolder and bolder. Even Dumbledore himself seemed unable to defeat him and fear and suspicion were spreading throughout the nation; the Death Eaters were using unforgivables and slowly infiltrating every wizarding department and organisation in the land, nobody knew who they could trust. Meanwhile, attacks on muggles, muggle-borns and so-called blood traitors were rampant and becoming more and more common; even the muggles were noticing and the ministry was having a difficult time maintaining the International Statute of Secrecy.

"So Prongs, when are we getting Bambi here on a broom?" Sirius asked, bringing James out of his reverie and forcing a smile on to the young father's face as Lily promptly clipped Padfoot round the ear.

Soon after that, Sirius, Remus and Peter took their leave and James and Lily were left alone with their son for the first time, prompting nervous looks between the two whenever Harry made a noise. Lily, James noted with a smile, seemed to be a natural when it came to parenthood and spent much of the evening cooing and pulling faces at Harry, whose brilliant green eyes were glued to his mother's face.

"What?" Lily asked with a small smile when she caught James grinning at her.

"Nothing," James beamed in reply, content to simply sit back and watch his small family. "I think it may be time for bed," he added when he caught his wife trying to suppress a yawn.

James stood up and took his slumbering child from Lily's arms before leading her up to their room and placing Harry gently in his bassinet as she got ready for bed. Lily could barely keep her eyes open as she emerged from the bathroom and James took her in his arms and placed a small kiss on her lips before allowing her to get into bed and heading for the bathroom himself.

Closing the door as he heard his young wife drift off to sleep, James sighed, allowing his shoulders to sag slightly as he leaned on the sink and stared straight into the eyes of his reflection in the bathroom mirror. For the first time since his son had been born, since Lily had told him that she was expecting in fact, he allowed his doubts to come to the front of his mind. He was a dad. How could he raise a child when he felt little more than a child himself? God knows he acted like one. What kind of father would he be? He certainly couldn't imagine himself as the strict disciplinarian; that would have to be Lily's job, but even the basics seemed daunting; what if he just couldn't get Harry to stop crying? What if his son didn't like him?

For more than a minute, James let these thoughts drift through his mind, almost consuming him, before, at last, he smiled. He smiled because he knew that none of it mattered; he would find a way. Because, as soon as he had held that little boy in his arms he knew that he could never love anyone or anything more than he loved him. He knew that his life had new meaning; that his job in life was to protect and care for his son and everything came second to that.

"James?" Lily's voice called out sleepily from their bed.

"I'm coming." The marauder replied, before walking out of the bathroom and climbing under the sheets; he would be needing as much sleep as he could get.

A/N: There you have it, the first chapter is down. Hopefully you enjoyed it and, again, whether you did or not, please leave a review. Some of you may have noticed that I couldn't resist including my own penname as a name suggestion for Harry; damn Lily, what's wrong with Prongs Potter? This chapter was mostly humour with some emotion mixed in as Harry was born. The next chapter will include some more Marauder madness and James and Sirius returning to tracking down baddies as they go back to work.