It was unusually cloudy for July. But the fierce winded did nothing to stop the red-headed Lily Potter from giving birth to two adorable twin boys.
Jonathan Cade Potter, the eldest, was a replica of his father, James, but he seemed to have dark streaks of red in his messy hair. The baby was handed over to his godfather, Remus Lupin, shortly after he was born. Cade, as he would be called, was currently being bounced in the werewolf's arms.
His brother, Harry James Potter, was born just moments before midnight. He was also the spitting image of James, but Lily's bright eyes stared out of the newborn's face. He was slightly thinner than his brother, with a more angular face. Harry was, like Cade, in the arms of his godfather. And Sirius Black was cooing at the messy-haired boy, presently blinking up at him.
"Hey, there, Harry. And here I thought the most adorable thing on the planet was your mother." Sirius threw a smirk at the woman.
Lily rolled her eyes. She was exhausted, but you could tell she was undoubtedly happy to have both little bundles of joy in her life. A maniacal sort of grin was on her husband's face as he stared at both his sons.
Remus looked up from Cade to glance at his friends. Never before had he imagined he would get to be such a big part of James's sons' lives. He, quite frankly, didn't think he deserved to be a godfather. But the day Lily and James announced they were having twins, he had been so surprised at the request to be godfather, he couldn't even remember to argue.
James moved from beside his wife to stand before the two Marauders. He centered himself so he could look at both of the twins.
"I can already tell they're going to be great Quidditch players. Just image, Padfoot, my sons the star Chasers of the Gryffindor Quidditch team." He sighed dreamily.
"James," Lily scolded. "Don't start with all that Quidditch talk now. We still have a long way to go before they can even ride a broom."
His face fell a bit, making Sirius laugh.
Remus smiled. "Don't worry Prongs. I'm sure when they're older, they'll be just as Quidditch-crazed as you are now."
James obviously wasn't sure whether to be insulted it not, so he settled for taking Harry from his best friend's arms and smiling down at him.
"Hi, Harry. I'm your daddy."
Those green eyes stared back at him with an eerie sort of knowledge. For a second, James had a feeling the small child knew exactly what he was saying. But that was stupid, right? Newborns couldn't understand big people talk.
He mentally slapped himself. *Big people talk?* What were these kids doing to him?
Miles away in a castle in Scotland, the Headmaster of Hogwarts was currently receiving a letter from the couple. It was rather short and hastily scribbled and seemed to only serve the purpose of informing him of the twins' birth.
However, in his rush to finish the letter before a meeting with his staff, Albus Dumbledore misread Harry's time of birth as midnight.
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*8 months later*
"I'll get it, honey!" James called out as he walked to the door, carrying baby Harry with him. He had left Cade in the kitchen, in his high chair, smearing bananas all over his face.
James opened the door to see his best friend, and brother in all but blood filling up the doorway. Sirius, however only had eyes for the baby resting in James' arms.
"There's my boy!" he cried, pulling the giggling Harry into his arms. "What have you been up to, huh? Giving mummy and daddy lots of trouble?"
Sirius made to walk into the sitting room, and just happened to look up as Harry tugged on his hair. "Oh, hey, Prongs. Didn't see you there."
James watched his friend's figure retreat down the hallway, before turning to look at Remus, who had been standing just outside the door.
"When he kidnaps Harry, you'll help me find them, right?" The black haired man's voice was slightly desperate.
Remus laughed at his old friend. "Of course, James."
The two walked into the kitchen where they found Lily grumbling and attempting to wipe the mush of food off her son's face.
"Honestly, this is ridiculous. Harry's not this bad. Why must you be so much like your father Cade Jackson?"
"I take offence to that," James declared, sitting in his abandoned chair.
Lily looked up and smiled. "Hello, Remus. How have you been?"
"Quite well, thank you," he responded, moving to help with his godson.
Lily shooed him away. "I can take care of it. No guest will work while in my home. You sit down and enjoy yourself."
It was pointless to argue with her, but Remus' response was cut off by the shrieking of an owl as it flew through the open window.
James opened the small note before looking at his wife. "It's from Dumbledore. He wants to stop by in an hour; says it's urgent."
"I guess it's a good thing we didn't plan to go out today," Lily said, triumphantly holding the napkin with the last of splattered bananas.
The adults went silent, listening to the gurgling of Cade and the laughter, squealing, and possibly the sound of things breaking, coming from the living room.
After an hour of talking politics, work and the twins, the Floo flared to life in the sitting room. James and Remus rushed to greet the Headmaster, but Lily stayed by the kitchen window, watching Sirius run around with her baby. Cade had been put down for a nap half an hour ago.
A minute later, the young mother felt the presence of Dumbledore behind her and turned a smile on her face. It fell as soon as she glimpsed the old wizard's expression.
Lily immediately thought the worst. "What's wrong? Was there another attack? Is someone-?" she cut herself off, unable to continue speaking.
Dumbledore shook his head. "No, no attacks. But this may be worse."
"Worse?" Remus sounded faint.
Dumbledore nodded. "I'm afraid there's no easy way to go about telling you this. A prophecy was made just shy of nine months ago. It refers to a child who has the power to destroy Voldemort. This child is 'born as the seventh month dies'. There are only three children who fit that description: Cade, Harry, and Neville Longbottom. I have reason to believe the child this prophecy concerns is Cade."
"C-Cade," James stammered out. "Why not Harry? He was born right after Cade was."
"I have sensed a strong magical core in Cade. He will be a very powerful young wizard. But that is not why I am here to talk with you today."
"I need to sit down," Remus murmured.
Lily looked out the window again, this time seeing Sirius carrying Harry toward the house, a second later the door opened, then shut.
Dumbledore looked grave. "I have been informed that there is a spy in the Order. They were the ones who told Voldemort about the twins. He is intent on killing them as soon as he can. I recommend that you go into hiding as soon as possible. The Fidelius Charm will be placed around your house."
"Go into hiding?" James looked outraged. "There's a monster on the loose threatening the life of my family, and you want me to GO INTO HIDING!"
"James," Lily mumbled. "You'll wake Cade."
He lowered his voice, but retained his anger. "What do you take me for? A coward? I am not going to hide while people are murdered everyday!"
Remus grabbed his arm, preventing him from doing anything rash. James wasn't one to get angry easily, but when he did, you'd better watch out.
Dumbledore bowed his head. "I don't expect you to accept this today. But I beg that you at least consider it. I only wish to ensure your safety."
Remus led Dumbledore outside, where he Apparated to the Order of the Phoenix Headquarters. The two parents sat at the kitchen table, thinking about how much this could change their lives.
James hated the idea that he would have to hide in the middle of a war. He knew Sirius would be on the front lines and Remus would be on Order missions, getting information from werewolves. Even little Peter was doing what he could to fight the rising Lord Voldemort. So why should he have to stay in a house all day, waiting to know if his friends had been killed?
Lily was confused. She wanted what was best for her family. This could be the best option for keeping the twins safe. But staying in a house with James for God knows how long, without being able to leave; she didn't know who would go crazy first. And mothers' instinct told her that either way, something would go wrong. How would it affect Harry and Cade if this lasted for years? Harry loved being outside in the sun. She didn't want her children growing up, not knowing what if felt like to play in the rain.
A few minutes later, Remus walked in to find James and Lily deep in thought. He hated to interrupt them, but a thought suddenly occurred to him. "Prongs? Do you hear that?"
James frowned up at him. "I don't hear anything."
"Exactly. How many times do you get Sirius and Harry together and not hear anything?"
Lily and James exchanges a look, before all three barreled into the sitting room, ready to attack. Instead of finding what they expected (Death Eaters, Harry and Sirius dead on the floor, etc.), they found Sirius asleep on the couch, baby Harry curled on his chest. Lily cooed and ran to get the camera, while James looked incredulously at Remus.
"I wasn't too keen on the idea of naming my son Sirius Jr.," he sighed. "But it might have been more appropriate."
Remus laughed.
"Don't wake them," Lily hissed as she walked down the stairs. "I want a picture!"
She took the snapshot just as a wail echoed from upstairs. Sirius shot up from his position on the couch and cradled Harry to his chest. He let out a deep breath when he realized nothing was wrong.
"Can I have my son back now, Padfoot?" James asked, a smirk on his face.
"Uh, no," Sirius responded. "What makes you think he wants to go to you anyway?"
"Again, my son."
While they were having this little discussion, Lily had come back down the stairs. This time she was carrying Cade with her. Lily handed him over to Remus and rolled her eyes at the grown men, acting like children.
"Well, why don't we let the kid decide," Sirius yelled, swiftly placing Harry on the floor. "He can go to whoever he likes best!"
Little eight months old Harry sat on the floor, looking back and forth between his father and godfather. Again, there was that knowledge in his eyes, he looked like he knew exactly what was going on. So, being the spectacular child he was, Harry wobbly pushed himself up on two legs and stumbled over to Sirius, holding out his arms to be picked up.
"My baby boy is growing up," Lily squealed.
"Your baby boy is going to be hearing impaired," Sirius grumbled, rubbing his ears.
Lily punched him in retaliation and the twins were placed together on the floor, while Sirius was told about the meeting with Dumbledore.
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Lord Voldemort sat on his throne. He was not very pleased. Of course, very rarely was the Dark Lord in a favorable mood.
His Death Eaters were spread around the room, his Inner Circle just below the platform, on which he was raised.
A hooded figure was crawling toward him and groveling at his feet.
"My Lord, I have news."
"Well," the red-eyed man drawled. "What is it? I don't have all day."
"The Potters, the Potters," the man was clearly so afraid he couldn't get a sentence out.
"Would you care to elaborate on that? Or do I need to loosen your tongue?"
The Death Eaters laughed jeeringly; it was always a relief not being the one tortured and humiliated.
"I-I kn-know where to find them. The Potters."
"Excellent. Would you care to share with the class, Peter?"
Peter Pettigrew looked into his Master's face and trembled.