Chapter 4;

Disclaimer; I do not own this amazing series of books, they belong to J.K Rowling, but Alison Potter and Rosie Hunter are mine.

"See why I'm scared Lils? She didn't want you to know yet, not until she was absolutely certain." Sirius whispered to Lily as James hurried around the room, pulling his coat and shoes on. James paused briefly as Socks jumped on the bed and nuzzled Sirius's face gently, purring contently. Lily laughed softly and scratched the cat behind the ears, cooing to it. A short laugh also escaped James's mouth as he was lacing up his shoes. That cat wasn't heartless after all. He didn't honestly think the cat was heartless, Socks adored Lily and kept her company when he couldn't and he loved the cat for it.

Shortly after Sirius had told them about Rosie, James had decided that they were staying with the Potter's for a while. They had a guest room and Lily and James knew they wouldn't mind having their friends around; they'd love to see them. Also James knew that if anything happened to Rosie's baby there would be more people to watch and see if she tries to do a disappearing act.

Sirius had no time debate the topic as James sent him a glare and growled, "I love her too Sirius."

James had always treated Rosie like a little sister, and she was just as well as, she'd spent more Christmas's with him and Ali then her actual family, because her parents were divorced and fought over who would get her for Christmas, like she was yet again an eleven year old girl who was treated like prized cattle. Alison even referred to Rosie as her sister and Rosie adored the little girl, who was not so little anymore and now loomed over Rosie's short five-foot height.

When James had apparated to Rosie and Sirius's apartment, he knocked on the bright blue door with a slight grin sliding onto his face. He knew about Sirius's aversion to bright colors and Rosie's love of them, making it always an adventure when he entered the small place.

Rosie opened the door and peeked out at James, a smile gliding onto her face as she threw the door open and hugged him tightly. "James Potter! What rock were you hiding under!?" James hugged her back just as tightly, possibly tighter and his grinned widened.
"I've seen you at Order meetings Hunter, stop roping me down woman!" Rosie pulled away and smirked slightly before pushing him into the multi-colored apartment and locking the door.

As he stood in her apartment, James finally allowed his eyes to give her a once over.

Rosie Hunter looked absolutely terrible. Her hair was pulled into a messy knot at the nape of her neck and her eyes were such a light grey that they looked colorless. She had dark circles under her eyes, which were red and puffy, as if she'd been crying. Not to mention she was pale, unusually pale.

"Rosie…what's happened?" James asked softly, she definitely contrasted with her apartment, which made her look even sicker. Every surface of the apartment was colorful and bright and Rosie looked colorless and drab compared.

"I was fine…until Sirius left to visit you. James I can't be pregnant. I'm too reckless and what…w-wh-what if I lose this one too?!" Her eyes began to water and she wiped at them frantically, sniffling slightly. Of course Rosie knew Sirius would have told him so he didn't correct her. He just lightly took her hand and pulled her into a tight embrace, rubbing his hand up and down her back tenderly, trying desperately to comfort the now sobbing girl in his arms.

"Rosie…you wont. I promise I'll protect. And not to mention Sirius. We'll protect you, little wolf." James held her while she cried into his coat, hushing her every time she made a shaky apology. He felt his heart break every time she made a soft sniffling sound or a sob. James Potter hated seeing Rosie cry, as she didn't do it often and when she did it was only a couple stray tears.

While he held her he thought of how fragile she really was. Sure, Rosie put on a strong face and had a sharp tongue, but she was really a lot like glass. He mumbled soft, comforting words to her until she was finished sobbing.

Rosie came out of her room, pushing her dark, slightly damp hair off her face and giving James a weak smile. As soon as she'd stopped crying he'd pushed her into the bathroom and promised her tea after she had a shower. He passed her a cup of steaming tea and she sipped it hesitantly.

"James, you don't need to take care of me. I'm a big girl…" James smirked from behind his teacup and sat down on a bright blue couch. "Who said I'm taking care of you? I'm just a mate who made himself a cup of tea. I wasn't happy with my first attempt so I gave it to you."

The softest of laughs bubbled from Rosie's mouth as she sat next to him on the couch, folding her legs under her. James felt his heart lift; it was almost like her usual, lovely laugh. Almost. James could see the pale scars on the inside of her forearm that she'd received during their seventh year, right before Christmas break.

Right before Christmas break a group of Slytherin's had hexed Rosie from behind and knocked her unconscious then had had a fun time carving "filthy mudblood" all over her the inside of her right forearm, all varying sizes. He and Sirius had found her when they were done, lying unconscious and covered in blood. He'd had terrible nightmares after that, as well as Sirius and Rosie.

James put his arm around Rosie's shoulder and gave her a half armed hug. "Come on, you're staying with us. I packed some of your stuff. Poor Lily can only deal with Sirius for so long." With a faint smile, he tugged her to her feet, picked up the bag full of her things and apparated home.