Chapter Three: A Time for Babies
The end of July saw births for two members of the Order of the Phoenix. Alice Longbottom and her husband Frank welcomed a son Neville on July thirtieth. Lily Potter gave birth to a son Harry on July thirty-first. After hearing of these births, Albus Dumbledore experienced much happiness for his friends but he also wondered about the prophecy Sibyl Trelawney made a month prior. Would Neville or Harry end Lord Voldemort's rein of terror? He had told no one of the prophecy, but he could not help but wondered if he should informed the two sets of new parents about what he had heard. He felt it would be better for the time being to leave them in the dark. Why worry them in a time of happiness?
The Order had a party for the Longbottom's and the Potter's children. Neville and Harry the 'unofficial' new member of the Order. Arabella Figg could be heard saying, "With parents like the ones those boys have how could they not end up fighting for our side? Both sets of parents have escaped You-Know-Who three times. Who else has done that?"
"Arabella I don't think Harry will be ready to fight Voldemort till he's his five at least." Lily said her face and voice full of joy, "Neville might be ready before then but you will have to ask Alice."
"Neville might be ready by four." Alice Longbottom added
Alice and Lily were close before the birth of their children. But the birth of their sons seemed to bring them even closer.
Frank and James were doing their own bonding. Frank pointed to Lily and Alice before saying "Our sons are likely to think they are brothers growing up around those two."
"I imagine it will be good for them. You can never have too much family."
"I agree, but and this will undoubtedly come out rude and I assure I do not mean it that way, but I think you might need it more both you and Lily's parents are dead and aren't you both only children?"
James laughed, "It does sound rude but I know what you are saying. Yes, both my and Lily's parents are dead. Lily does have a sister, a Muggle, who has disowned Lily. Hates magic, husband even worse. I have the feeling Harry will grow up without meeting his aunt. I don't have any siblings unless you count Sirius, which I do. He ran away from home at sixteen. Parents' pureblood maniacs, he stayed with me and my parents during holidays until he graduated. I thought you and Alice were only children as well"
"I am. My mom gave me so much attention I think she would have died if she had another child to tend to. I guess we are going to have to start calling her 'Gran' she'll love that. She thought me and Alice should have had a kid the minute we graduated." Frank laughed at the thought of his mother, "Alice has a brother, Joshua Figg. Joshua works in Romania with Dragons; he helped start the Dragon preserve. He's five years older than Alice; he was long gone before you got to Hogwarts. Aunt Arabella has been coming around a lot since Neville was born. She been teaching Alice Muggle baby raising tricks for obvious reasons. I was surprised but lots of 'em are good. Did you know Muggles have the best wipes for changing a baby's diapers? Sourgify works but that irritates a baby's skin, you'll have to try them"
Albus Dumbledore entered. James and Frank being the closest to the door were the first to great him. "Course our kids will have Uncle Albus." James meant the comment to be a joke, expecting that his old teacher would kindly reject being an honorary uncle.
"I'm more than happy to have a little more family." Albus replied, "Where are my nephews?"
"They are over in the dining room with their mothers." Frank pointed to the pair of mothers
As Albus made his way to Harry and Neville one of those unusual silences you rarely get in groups. It seemed for a moment no one had anything to say and there was one The silence was broken by Arabella Figg, "It's a shame Caradoc missed this. He was looking forward to meeting the babies. Still there is hope" she started sniffing.
The party's mood became less light reality set back in. Hardly a week went by they did not hear of someone dieing. Caradoc Dearborn was the latest to be killed. At least the Order had to assume he was dead. Caradoc had last been fighting Alecto and Amycus Carrow. He had been killed by the Death Eaters less than a week before Neville and Harry were born. Albus had hoped today they might have been able to forget the despair happening around them, but it appeared despair was not so easy to forget. After Arabella's comment, the party became more subdue and slowly people began to go home.
Alice stuck her head in the kitchen where Lily, James, Harry and Albus were having a second helping of cake. "Frank and I are going to go home now Lily."
Lily got up to hug Alice, and then returned to the kitchen table.
"Lily I have been meaning to tell you," Albus began, "Slughorn is retiring. He told me plans to make this his last year at Hogwarts. I was wond-"
Lily interrupted, "Why is Slughorn retiring? When did he make the decision?"
"Just over a month ago," Dumbledore replied, "He told me 'With times the way they are, I think it best to retire now. Who knows if I will get a chance to retire if I don't do it now?' "
"Raver emm voo ef ooo azz e." James mumbled in between bites of cake.
"What did you say? Talking with your mouth full is hardly a good example for your son." Lily said in a voice half way between irritation and amusement.
James cleared his throat, "Emhm I said 'Rather grim view if you ask me' and Harry is hardly a month old. By the time he gets to solid food, chances are he will not remember this"
Lily opened her mouth, closed it, opened it again then she smiled then took her bright green eyes off her husband, "You were saying Albus."
"I was thinking you might like to take the position Lily. You have always had a talent for potions." Albus said apparently amused by James behavior.
"Thank you Albus. But I think I want to stay home with Harry for a few years." Lily was clearly happy at her former teachers compliment but firm in her resolve.
"I understand Lily."
"What about me? Why not ask me Albus?" James joked.
"Forgive me James but as you did not take N.E.W.T. potions I do not think you would be up to the job." Everyone laughed. Those who knew him would tell you Albus Dumbledore had a good, albeit sometime
eccentric, sense of humor.
"Do you have anyone else in mind Albus?" Lily asked
"Someone yes." Albus did not seem to want to elaborate
August ended. Julia Mudaliar married Amril Patil. But August was not all joy. Another member of the Order was murdered. Benjy Fenwick died fighting Death Eaters. It was hard to say what spell killed him. Only small parts of his body were found.
In September Sibyl Trelawney and Julia Patil started teaching at Hogwarts. Julia was happily received by staff and students alike. Sibyl Trelawney's was welcomed as all new teachers are, but she was not as well received. Many of the Divination students were impressed by her genealogy as were some of the staff but
Minerva McGonagall, the deputy headmistress of Hogwarts, was less enthused by her arrival. "Albus I thought you decided Divination would no longer be taught at Hogwarts."
"I was planning on it Minerva." Albus said in his ever even voice
"No one in her family has been a Seer since her great-grandmother right?"
"Correct"
"I'm not so sure she a real Seer. From what I know Seers often go into trances and have no recollection of their prophecies. I have never seen that woman go into any sort of trance."
"While I am sure Sibyl likes to pretend to know more than she does. I also believe she has the gift of second sight."
"Do you have any proof?"
"I have a great deal of proof."
Minerva waited, "Well are you going to tell me?"
"No, I do not think it wise to share the information with anyone at this time." Minerva looked like she was afraid her old friend did not find her trustworthy, "Even with you, who I trust more than many." Albus's comment once again demonstrated the quality that many the people who knew he described as an ability to read people thoughts.
"Very well, Albus. Goodnight." Minerva McGonagall rose she decided she would not win this argument no matter how hard she tried.
"Goodnight, Minerva."
Near the end of December, Lily Potter once again found herself at Hogwarts.
"Lily, how good to see you." said the familiar voice of Julia Patil.
"You too Julia. How are you enjoying being at Hogwarts teacher?" Lily asked.
"It is great, but it's a little weird too. It seems like hardly any time has passed since I graduated. I feel like I
should be attending class not teaching it. What brings you to Hogwarts Lily?"
"Professor Slughorn needs to leave Hogwarts a few days before term ended. Wanted to go to Australia to visit his nephew, I believe. Albus asked me to take care of the Potions class for the last two days of term. He said all I would have to do is make sure the students don't blow up the potions classroom. I also wanted to give Harry a look at Hogwarts. After all he will be starting here in eleven years"
"How did Albus convince you to teach for two days? You told me you did not want to work for a while after Harry was born."
Lily half smiled, she looked like she did not know how exactly it happened, "Well I'm not so sure. I was going to refuse but … he gave me one of those looks he gives, you know what mean." Julia did know, somehow Albus had a way of convincing people to do things without a single word, "… and I couldn't say no. It's like saying no to Santa Clause." Lily still looked slightly confused about what made her agree to fill in, but she joined Julia when she started laughing.
After the laughter died down Julia's said with a causal air, "You know Slughorn is retiring Lily. You might consider applying for the position."
"Did Albus put you up to this Julia?" Lily said trying to hide the smile on her face
"Yes he suggested I ask you, oh ha, now I see what you mean about saying no to Santa Clause, but I would love to work with you. You can't blame him for asking; after all it worked with me when you asked."
Lily laughed, "It would be nice to work with you but I want to spend at least two years with Harry before starting work. He asked me to be the permanent Potions teacher before but I refused. I don't think he really tried or I might not have been able to say no, he knew know wishes and he respects them."
"Is Harry staying with you at Hogwarts?"
"James, Harry and I have a room in Hogsmeade."
"I don't think I can wait any longer." Julia blurted
"What's wrong?" Lily voice showed concern
"Nothing's wrong. I'm pregnant."
"Oh Julia that's wonderful! This certainly seems to be a time for babies. I had Harry; my friend Alice had a baby boy, Neville, and now you! When is the baby due?"
"Mid-March."
"Hold on, I'm doing the math."
"There's no need. I was pregnant for a month before I was married, though I didn't know it at the time."
Lily thought for a moment before asking apprehensively, "Aren't your parents really traditional?"
"Yes," Julia said half embarrassed, half exasperated, "I plan to tell them the baby is premature."
"Do you think they'll believe you?"
Julia suddenly looked puzzled, "You know something I just remembered? I was premature. You don't think ...?"
Julia and Lily laughed. When Lily looked the clock she said, "Sorry Julia, I have to go to class. I see what you mean, it is weird. Congratulations." She gave her friend a hug then left
"See you later, Lily."
Albus Dumbledore sat in his office wondering who he would find to take over the potion teaching position when Slughorn retired. There was also the small problem his Defense Against the Darks Arts teacher was expecting a child. Professors seemed to be leaving Hogwarts more often these days. It seemed harder to find people willing to take a teaching position at Hogwarts. He knew someone who wanted to be a teacher but he was wary to interview him. Severus Snape seemed to be close with more than a few Death Eaters. All the same, he thought, it wouldn't hurt to interview him. He got out his quill.
Severus, if you are still interested in a teaching position at Hogwarts there is an opening on next year's teaching staff. Please meet me at the Hog's Head on the fifth of January at nine p.m.
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizarding
Simple but to the point, the Headmaster thought, I do not doubt the rumor about Severus but I will have to see how much of a hold Voldemort has over him.
