Months had passed quickly. The air was cooler and both Mary and Lily's stomachs had grown. Sirius had never found Mary more beautiful. Her pregnant belly stuck out from his old tee-shirts like a basketball and her face was full of color. It was true, he thought to himself one quiet morning, women are more beautiful when they're pregnant.
Sirius fumbled with the small box in his pocket, his nerves were getting to him. His palms were sweaty, his heart racing. He watched Mary flip through the Daily Prophet and sip her tea, trying to figure out the best way to propose. He cleared this throat to get her attention.
"Yes," Mary smiled not taking her eyes from the article she was reading.
"Mary look I would like to talk to you about something." Sirius said nervously shifting in his chair.
"And what is that," her sapphire gaze lifted from the yellow pages of the news to look at Sirius who had now stood up from the table, pacing.
"I have something I want to ask you. I was wondering if you'd do me the honor of.." Sirius' words were drowned out by the wispy silver stag that erupted into the room.
"Lily's in labor! Hurry!" James' patronus exclaimed. Mary looked at Sirius who shrugged his shoulders and grabbed her arm from side a long appartion, seeing as it wasn't recommended for pregnant women to apparate on their own.
The couple quickly ran into the Potter's living room where James was pacing quickly back and forth. "James! Where is Lily?" Mary asked. James continued his pacing with small mumbles to himself in response.
"James!" Sirius yelled. This finally seemed to wake James from his thoughts.
"Ah! Padfoot! Mary! When did you get here? Lily is upstairs. Her nurse is with her. I I just thought I'd stay down here." James responded absentmindedly. At this Mary ran up the stairs, Sirius staying behind to tend to James.
After hours of turmoil Lily gave birth to a little boy, Harry. Harry was a bundle of joy, hopping around and always making everyone laugh. Shortly after Harry's birth James and Lily invited Mary and Sirius to a small Halloween party. They had been secreted away by Dumbledore. They seemed in dire need to have some company.
Mary and Sirius excitedly prepared to see their friends. Sirius wore an old tee shirt and pants that were far too tight. "And what is your costume, love?" Mary questioned as she characteristically raised her eyebrow.
"I'm Robert Plant. Aren't you impressed?" He laughed.
"Yes now I see the resemblance. You need a sock for those jeans," she smiled in return tossing him a pair of rolled socks.
"Ha-ha very funny. What is your costume then?"
"Well I'm too big to fit into any of my old ones, so I'm just going as myself." Mary responded a little disheartened.
"Nonsense you're beautiful. In fact," he paused finally brave enough to complete his task, "I was wondering if you'd do me the honor of being my wife?" He had knelt down on one knee as Mary started to cry.
"Of of course," she held out her small hand as Sirius slid a ring on her finger. She ogled at it and jumped into Sirius' arms. "Wait 'til we tell everyone!"
"Let's go tell them all then," Sirius smiled in return, relieved that she had accepted his proposal. He held out his arm and the pair apparated to Godric's Hollow. The couple talked excitedly as they walked the streets towards Lily and James' house. Their conversation stopped as they turned the last corner. What was left of the Potter's house magically appeared. The Dark Mark hung eerily hung above the wreckage.
Sirius ran into the house without a thought, screaming James' name. Mary stood there alone, staring at the house, tears falling done her cheek. A tiny pop made her jump and Remus Lupin appeared. His face instantly fell.
"Mary! What happened?" He whispered. "Where are they? James, Lily, Sirius? Where's Harry?"
"I I don't know," Mary mumbled. "They're. Voldemort. Sirius ran in. I just, I don't know," she cried. Remus put a loving arm around Mary's shoulders. She fell into his chest, body rocking with sobs. "Sirius just ran off. Where is he? He should've waited, waited for Dumbledore. For anyone," she trembled.
"It's alright. He's fine, he'll be okay," Remus cooed, wiping his own tears from his face. After what seemed like hours Sirius walked out of the ruins of the house, a small bundle wrapped in his arms. He was uncontrollably sobbing, his body shaking violently. Mary jumped to him, wrapping her arms around him, making an attempt to calm him down. The bundle started to cry and Mary finally realized what it was.
"Harry?" She questioned. Remus jumped in and grabbed the little boy, he unwrapped the blankets. Harry was holding his arms out and crying. "Is he alright? Is he fine? Remus?" Lupin was quietly inspecting Harry.
"Yes he seems fine. He's shaken up. He has a scar though. There," he pointed "on his forehead." Mary turned her face from Sirius to look at Harry. She noticed the lightning bolt scar on his forehead. Her heart ached. What will he do without his parents? Of course she and Sirius would take him in, but she knew it wouldn't be the same for him, it never would again. Another small pop made the group jump.
"You shouldn't be here. It isn't safe," Albus Dumbledore said calmly, though Mary noticed the lack of the usual twinkle in his bright blue eyes. "Remus please give me Harry." He continued.
"No, he's coming home with me. I'm his Godfather and Mary will be his Godmother after we marry." Sirius insisted, standing up and steeling himself.
"Oh no that won't do" Dumbledore shook his head. "We all knew Voldemort was going to find Harry and he did, even with all of our protection. No, I will take him to his Aunt's. She's a muggle, keeping Harry distant from our world will be best." Remus nodded, obviously in agreement, but Sirius attempted a fight. "Sirius please try and understand this is not the time to act out. You have a family of your own to care for. Please," Dumbledore stopped the argument before it began.
Remus seemed to sense Sirius' rage, so he attempted to change the subject. "How were they found, Albus?" Dumbledore shook his head sadly.
"Lily and James secret keeper revealed them to Voldemort." Mary and Remus quickly looked at Sirius who had broken down into tears again.
"Sirius I don't understand. You were the secret keeper." Mary said quietly.
Shaking his head Sirius replied "No. No I wasn't. I thought it better if Peter were the keeper. I was the obvious choice." He sobbed, sitting on the curb in front of Lily and James' ruined house. "I would have died to keep them safe."
"We know you would. This isn't on you. It's all on Pettigrew." Remus explained. Mary was amazed at how easily Remus repressed his emotions to care for everyone else. The mention of Peter's surname seemed to resonate with Sirius. He stood up and looked at Mary and Remus.
"Mooney listen to me. Take Mary home and keep her safe." Sirius explained, holding Remus' broad shoulders. He slowly turned to Mary grabbing her hand. "I love you. " He kissed her "And I love you," he ran his hand over Mary's stomach.
"We love you too, Sirius, but what are you doing?" Mary cried. Sirius walked down the street a few feet. "Sirius," Mary yelled "Where are you going?" Sirius turned his handsome face and looked at Mary.
"I'm going to find Peter Pettigrew," he shouted back. At this Mary ran towards him, but before she could reach him, Sirius apparated away. Mary fell to the ground, Remus holding her as she sobbed.
"Come on. It's best if I take you home, Mary" Remus whispered, gently grabbing her arm. He took one last look at the Potter's home and of Dumbledore holding the little bundle that was Harry before they apparated away.