Chapter 4

The next day, Lily went to her parents. Her father saw the ring on her finger and smiled, but said nothing. Ginny could see the excitement in her daughter's face and was curious as to why. Just yesterday, she was miserable. She found out soon enough.

"Dad, Mum, I have great news," she said before she was even seated. "Don't be angry with me, mum. Please."

Ginny frowned. "What is it? Why would I be mad?"

Lily took a deep breath. "I'm pregnant."

Ginny froze. "You're what? By whom? I swear I will hex him into next year."

Lily laughed, though she knew she shouldn't have. "I love him. And he loves me. See?" And she held out her hand for them to see the ring. "I love him, we're going to get married, and raise our child together."

"But, but….you haven't had a boyfriend for months."

Her smile grew wider. "I've been in love with him for years and he with me. We just…kept it to ourselves. I'm so happy."

Ginny sat stiffly. "And this boy is who?"

"Andrew Thead."

"Harry, isn't that the young man in your department?"

"Yes, he is. A good young man. I like him very much and I know he loves Lily."

Ginny gave him a long stare. "There's more to this, isn't there?"

Lily smiled. "Dad, that's your cue. Mum, I love you. I'm going to call aunt Hermione and Uncle Ron and tell them the good news."

With an apologetic smile to her father, she left the room and called her aunt. News quickly spread and Luna was chatting her ear off within minutes of hanging up with Hermione. After promising Luna she'd be home soon, she hung up and went back to her parents, her mother looking quite confused and slightly upset.

"So, you knew about Andrew being a…"

"Well, no. He told me a month ago. I ran out and didn't let him finish telling me the truth. Dad told me last night and I went to Thead's flat and he proposed. I love him."

Ginny sighed. "I always liked the boy. If you love him, you have my blessing as well."

Lily leaped up to hug her mother. "Thank you, mum. That means so much to me."

"You'll have to come over and bring him with you."

"I will. Soon. I have to go though. I told Luna I'd be home. She plans on talking my ear off."

She said goodbye and went home where Luna was waiting anxiously for her.

"So, give me the story!" Her cousin cried before she had even shut the door.

Lily obliged and spent the next half an hour telling her everything. "And naturally, you'll be the godmother."

"Me?"

Lily laughed. "Of course. You're my cousin but you're also my best friend."

The two smiled and hugged before Lily went to call Draco and Anna, his wife, to tell them the news as well, thought she knew Anna had probably heard from her mother or aunt already. And she was right.

Hours later, still buzzing with happiness and having no doubts of the future, Lily left and went to Theads. Once there, she noticed the door was slightly open. She pushed it open tentatively. "Thead? Andrew, are you home?" Hearing nothing, she went in with wand in hand. She saw him in the middle of his living room, his body curled up into a ball. She turned on the lights to find him, not only on the floor, but covered in blood as well. "Andrew!"

She rushed to him, feeling her world collapse, and checked for a pulse. He was alive, barely, but unconscious. Without hesitation, she clung to him and apparated them both to St. Mungos.

Two hours later, Lily and Harry were seated in the waiting room waiting for the Healer to return with news.

"Mr. Potter, Ms. Potter," Healer Morrers said softly.

They stood. "Is he alright?" Lily asked tearfully.

Healer Morrers smiled. "He is badly beaten, but yes. We found that he was not only beaten physically but was tortured with the Cruciatus curse among others. He will be fine but we want to keep him here for a few days just to make sure. Does he have any family we need to contact?"

Lily shook her head. "No. His mother passed away a couple years ago. I'm his fiancé."

"I'm sorry for this traumatic experience. If you'd like, you can go in to see him. He's a little groggy."

"Thank you," Harry said as they walked towards Thead's room.

Lily's fresh tears rolled down her cheeks now knowing he was going to be alright. "Andrew?" She whispered as she sat in the chair beside his bed."

He groaned weakly, slowly moving his head to the side. He made an attempt to smile. "Lil."

She smiled warmly now. "Hi. Daddy's here, too. He wanted to make sure you're alright."

"I'm great, sir."

Harry gave a laugh. "Glad to hear it, son. Andrew, I know you're tired, but can you tell us what happened?"

"Death Eaters happened. They found out about Lily. I guess they assumed I either told her, or would tell her who I was. I didn't recognize any of them. It was dark and they were wearing their masks. They disguised their voices as well."

"I'm sorry, Thead." She knew the only person who could find out. Matthew Malfoy.

"I am, too, Andrew. I'll let you two have some time alone. I'll be back."

"Thead, do you think it was Matt?" She asked once her father had left.

"I know it was. I lied to your father. It was Malfoy, a few others as well, but I'm sure they didn't know why they were there. The others left before he did and he told me to stay away from you, that you were still his. He said the next time would be more torture and then death. I believe him. He's still in love with you, Lily."

She sighed. What were they to do? "Then we leave. We disappear. We go somewhere they won't find us. Thead, I finally have you after all this time. I'm not giving you up easily."

He smiled weakly. "We'll talk about it later. I'm tired."

She kissed him lightly on his bruised lips. "I'll let you sleep. I love you."

"I love you."

"Dad, what else can I do if not this?"

She had told Harry of her plan and he wasn't keen on the idea, but even he saw no other option. "The Fidelus charm?"

"I won't hide to where I have no life, my child has no life. I won't do it."

He knew she wouldn't. "I know, sweetheart. I just don't want to lose you."

"I know, daddy. But I want a future with him. I want my baby to grow up and go to Hogwarts, to know you and mum, to not live in fear."

"Then, there's no other way. I will figure it out, Lily. I'll take care of it. Give me a few hours."

"Thank you dad."

Three days later, Thead was release. Harry had devised plan for his daughter and soon to be son-in-law.

"You will live in America…as muggles. No magic whatsoever. It is the only plan I have come up with that will ensure your safety. Your child will be safe. I have already set up a home and a job for Thead. You can have no contact with any of us, no family, no friends, nothing to do with the wizarding world."

Thead and Lily shared a long look. Thead looked to Harry. "We wish to be married before then. I want you all there. One last time, your family all together."

Harry smiled. "It can be done. It must be done this weekend. Next week you will be gone from here and this world. Lily, can you give Andrew and me a few moments alone?"

"Sure."

"Sir, this is for Lily. She refuses to leave me and I tried to convince her otherwise. To be honest sir, now that we're together, I cannot picture my life without her. You know the story of my father and how he was killed at the hands of Death Eaters. I do not want history to repeat itself."

"I know. She loves you. I would do the same for Ginny and she for me. Just…take care of her. She is my only little girl."

Thead saw the tears in his eyes. "On my magic, I swear I will."

Their eyes locked. "I know."

Andrew Thead and Lily Potter were married just days later with only family attending. Unfortunately, that also meant Matthew Malfoy. Thead had told Harry about the young Malfoy the day before and had watched his future father-in-law break down. Though Harry had promised not to tell his dear friend the truth of his only child, Thead knew his mentor was having a hard time controlling himself in his presence.

Because of Malfoy, Harry, Thead, and Lily had agreed to keep there whereabouts to themselves, only telling the rest that they were going on a honeymoon. Harry would then tell everyone that the newlyweds had been killed in an accident in Paris while pretending to be muggles. But, Lily and Thead would be thousand of miles away in America, settling into their new lives.