Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Tiz the Season

AN: I do apologize for not updating this story. I was working on this when I received the news that my dad passed away, so I have been reluctant to write more. But I know that when I read a good story and there is no end… it just frustrates me.


"Mister Potter! I do protest. The world is different from when you were here," Dumbledore bellowed.

"That's why Moony is coming with me, besides if Lilly is at our old home, and there's nothing there… I don't know what she'll do," James stated as he pulled on his coat.

"Hey, can I go?" Harry questioned.

"NO!" every adult shouted.

"But she's my mum!" Harry hissed becoming extremely upset.

"That she is mate, but she was my wife first," James countered.

"If Lily is there, and I'm not saying she's going to be, I think we should minimize the shock factor until she gets here," Sirius reasoned. He looked around the room, spying off the astonished expressions on everyone's face. "What?"

"It's nice having you home, I missed you voice of reason," Andy whispered as she gave him a hug.

"Reason? Andy, have you gone nuts?" Sirius demanded before he explained. "I just said that so James would be the one Lily hexes for missing years of her baby's life."

"Sirius! That's more like you," Molly exclaimed before she started to laugh. It was while Sirius kept everyone's attention on him that James and Remus slipped out of the house.

Several long hours later, most of occupants of the house were sleeping soundly within their beds, one man remained awake. Every now and then, he would stroke the fire in the library as he waited. A low growl escaped from him as he worked out the creaks in his body. 'Damn Dumbledore,' he thought as he looked at the two who took shelter with him. 'I get that she's smart, but you can't hold her responsible for the actions of others.'

Before the squeaky door-knob could twist, Sirius was able to determine from a sniff of air that at lest one the individuals behind the door was Remus. 'About bloody time they showed up.' He glanced at the two who were sleeping soundly on the couch and forced himself to relax.

Nothing could have prepared him for the sight that greeted him when the door opened. Smirking at them, he nodded his head towards the couch as he approached the group. A real smile bloomed across his face at the scene before him.

"As you can see we found her," James whispered as he assisted Lily into a chair.

"Lilies, you really know how to make an enterance," Sirius joked as he squatted in front of her.

"I'm fine, just a bit tired," Lily whispered as she observed the room. Her gaze landed on those sleeping on the couch. "What about them? How are they handling it?"

"Harry's a happy camper. The girl isn't so lucky. She spent over an hour explaining and re-explaining everything to Dumbledore. He can't expound a reason as to how or why we're here."

"Why would she need to explain it?" James wondered.

"Things have changed since you went away," Remus stated. "I'm surprised that he hasn't called a meeting with the Ministry."

"Smashing, just how are we going to explain this?" Lily whispered.

"We're not. We haven't done a bloody thing," James growled.

"I know that, you know that. But the Ministry is going to make her life miserable; once they find out we're alive. You heard Remus; we have been dead for a long time. And if Dumbledore is going to make an example out of her, this is going to get a hell of lot worst," Lily worried.

"Red, take it easy. The censure will fall on the Death eaters. After all she was only working on Christmas gifts for some friends. The Death-eaters attacked her, they preformed several illegal spells and viola, here we are," Sirius soothed.

"The only thing he can hold her accountable for is reproducing photographs," Remus agreed.

"Is he going to hold her accountable?" Lily demanded.

"He left in a huff, but right now I'm more concerned about you, Red. How are you holding up?" Sirius questioned.

"I'm confused about some stuff, but mostly tired. I mean, how can I have a son, when I'm still pregnant?" Lily wondered. "Not that I won't love him, but look at me."

"You're gorgeous, absolutely stunning," James flattered.

"I have dirt all over me, and twigs in my hair. Yet, I'm stunning?" Lily grounded out as she glared at James.

"It's the pregnancy glow. You are stunning. A real sight to behold," Remus comments covering for James.

"Hey that's my wife you're admiring," James huffed as he poked Remus in his side.

"James, don't start something you can handle," Remus groans as James smirked at him.

Soft groans of discomfort float across the room. The tight knit group braces for the reaction of two people. As Lily started to nervously wring her hands, James knelt down next to her. He covered her hands with his.

"We'll get though this. Together," James reassured.

"Always, together," Lily replied back.

"All of us," Remus added as Sirius joined James on the ground in front of Lily.

"Mum?" Harry questioned quietly.

Looking up into his eyes, Lily could see fear cloud his bright green eyes. Pointing him, Lily stated, "He has my eyes."

"That he does, but he looks just like James and takes after him in flying. Hey, I know we can play a game! We have enough people and .." Sirius joked.

"Oh my good god, what have I done?" Hermione whispered in horror.

Sirius watched as she eyes rolled back. He moved quickly to catch her as she crumbled to the ground. He picked her up and gently placed her back on the couch. With a heavy sigh, Sirius looked back over to his friends and godson. He saw heart-break in their eyes.

"Cut the kid a break. She has been attacked today, not only by Death-Eaters but by Dumbledore. She knew that there was possibility that maybe Lily would be here also, but a pregnant Lily? That's a bit much."

"Oh," Harry replied.

"And Harry, just because Lily is pregnant doesn't mean she's not going to want you," Sirius growled like a dog as he stretched.

"What makes you say that?" Lily inquired.

"Because Petunia raised him," Remus answered as Sirius flinched.

"I didn't hear you right; I could have sworn you said Petunia. But that can not be right, James and I made Sirius Harry's legal guardian. That means Sirius would have raised Harry if anything happened to us," Lily stressed as her eyes flash.

"I went to prison for your murder, while Peter went into hiding after selling you out to Voldemort. That is why I'm a wanted man," Sirius explained.

"Is that Peter still alive?" Lily probed.

"We don't know. He owes me a life-debt if he still is," Harry replied.

"It's late. We can continue this discussion tomorrow, but right now Lily needs her sleep," James commented.

"But…" Lily tried to argue as Remus and James helped her stand up.

"But nothing, you are fatigued and the last thing we need is to take you to St. Mungos," Sirius stressed. "Give your kid a hug and kiss, and then go to bed."

"Yes mum," Lily snapped as she complied with Sirius's order. "Don't think for a single moment that this means you get to boss me around."

"Wouldn't dream it," Sirius reassured as he noted that Lily was leaning heavily on James. "You alright there mate?"

"We're fine, good night," James whispered as he gave a Sirius a relieved look.

"I'll follow them to their room. Good night," Remus stated as he waved to Sirius.

"See you in the morning," Sirius stated as Remus left.

He picked up a log and tossed it into the fireplace. He moved over to where Harry was sitting and kicked the side of the chair. Seconds later, Harry found himself on a bed.

"Mother often kicked father out of the bedroom. Get some sleep. We'll be here in the morning," Sirius whispered.

"Promise?" Harry asked too scared to close his eyes.

"Promise, we're not going anywhere. You'll see us in the morning," Sirius promised.

"Good night Sirius," Harry yawned as his eyes started to droop.

"Night little one," Sirius replied as he changed into a big black dog. Sinking down onto the ground, the dog stares into the flames, before closing his eyes.


Until Later