House Arrest


She's unable to leave her bed for nearly a month as the fatigue eats her up from the insides, either driving her into a mindless stupor or keeping her up, weak and immobile. She rubbed her still flat stomach and pleaded with her baby, her body and even the universe to go easy on her but Lily literally fainted if just decided to walk down the stairs, and a very frightened James had cast charms and protective wards around the house to endure that he was the only one who could leave, as well as enter the house.

"James, I beg of you, take me with you till Sirius' at least, I can't spend another day trapped at home without knowing how you are!" The prolonged periods of time she was spending in solitary confinement was driving her to the edges of her sanity. It was her nature to be active, to lead - and this pregnancy was beginning to feel more like a punishment to her.

But while James would usually melt at her smallest request, he remained adamant this time.

"It's not easy for me to constantly deny you, Lily," he said huskily that night as she sobbed that night, clinging on to his nightshirt with all her might. He squeezed his eyes shut as he didn't want her to see the tears that pooled in them and held her tight instead.

"Be honest with me, James," she whispered tearfully. "Is it really that bad out there?"

He pressed his temples tightly, knowing that any attempt at telling a lie would be a huge failure. So he chose to tell her the truth instead, kissing her damp cheeks before he did so.

"It's terrible," he said bluntly. "Voldemort isn't just gathering humans for his Death Eaters, who are already large in numbers – he's seeking support from the darkest of all creatures, from giants to house elves; we are so severely short numbered and Lil, I cannot bring our baby smack into the centre of all this, not when he isn't even born yet!" His voice trembled as his nightmares danced before his vision for a few seconds.

"Lil, I'm so sorry," he whispered as his wife failed to respond. She was numb with horror and had a palm covering her tummy protectively as she stared into nothingness.

"Lily? Sweetheart, talk to me," he pleaded, pressing urgent kisses on her forehead.

She blinked.

"James, sweetheart, it's not your fault," she soothed, hugging him back and returning his kisses with passion. "I know what we're getting into," she admitted as they broke apart for air. "And I know you're right. I'll stay home and take care of the baby, alright? That will give you one less thing to worry about."

"First, you take care of yourself, love," James admonished, clearly relieved. "I don't want you fainting all over the house, you hear me?"


Entered in the Het-Tastic Drabble-Athon Competition, prompt #13 - easy