Chapter Nine: Harry

On February 4, Lily and James invited Sirius, Peter, and Remus over to their apartment. Tonight they would share their good news with the people they cared about most. Lily was cooking dinner when the doorbell rang at exactly seven. To no one's surprise it was Remus who was always punctual. After saying hello to Lily he sat in the living room and talked with James and Sirius. Sirius had basically hung around all day, and it, of course, was Peter that would be late.

Peter finally arrived around seven fifteen and by then dinner was ready. They say down and praised Lily from the food to the decorations. Afterwards they all retired to living room for coffee and to talk.

"So," Sirius started, "why did you ask all of us here tonight?"

"Sirius! We're deeply insulted. Can't we invite our best friends to dinner on Valentine's Day? Honestly! It's like you think we're up to something," Lily said feigning hurt. Everyone laughed at the look on Lily's face. She was a good actress.

"Hey! I just wanted to know because I could have been on a date with this really hot girl named --."

"Okay, be quiet, Sirius. As a matter of fact, Lily and I do have something to tell you." He stood up and walked over to where Lily stood. He put an arm around her waist and opened his mouth to speak but Sirius cut him off.

"Aww! Hurry up, Prongs. It always takes you forever to say something. Or do something for that matter. For example, deflating your head for Lily, asking her out again, asking her to marry you. The list is endless," Sirius said while counting them off on his fingers.

"Now that he mentions it, why did it take you so long to ask me to marry you? We had been going out for over two years when you finally proposed," Lily said giving James a questioning glare.

James shot Sirius a "nice going" look and looked back at Lily. "Well, I was nervous, and I wanted it to be perfect," he started nervously. Sirius was trying hard not to laugh but he loved to see James squirm. Remus and Peter looked on with amused faces. "And we were busy with Auror training and --- wait a minute why are we discussing this in front of them?" he asked nodding toward his friends. "It is kind of personal. Plus we were about ready to tell them are good news."

"Fine. But you're not off the hook yet, James. We will talk about this later," Lily said firmly. She looked back at the men. "But now for our good news." Lily's attitude suddenly changed from total seriousness to being overly excited. "James and I are going to have a baby!" for a minute there was complete silence. No one was expecting that, but then Sirius got up and gave Lily and James both equally large hugs.

"Congratulations!" he said beaming. "When can we expect little Prongs junior?"

Lily laughed. "Not until early August and I put my foot down at Prongs junior," she said while Remus gave her a hug.

"Wow! James is going to be a father. Never thought this day would come. Lily, for your sake I hope it takes after you." Remus then added, " And that includes looks."

"And what's that suppose to mean?" James asked pretending to be insulted but definitely not succeeding. Lily and the guys just laughed at his face.

"I'm going to get some more butterbeer for us all before James starts crying. Excuse me for a moment."

"I'll help you, Lily," Sirius offered following her into the kitchen. "You know you and James are going to make excellent parents," he told her as he poured the butterbeer.

"Thanks, Sirius," Lily replied warmly. "My only worry is that it's so dangerous. Especially since we're in the Order. I already fear for our child's life."

"Listen, you and James are two of the most amazing people I have ever met. You were Head Boy and Girl, you're both Aurors, and you've escaped Voldemort three times. If anyone deserves some happiness it's you two. Savor it while you can."

"You know that's the most mature thing you've ever said to me," Lily said in all seriousness.

"Why thank you! I don't see why people think I'm so immature. I'm a really sensitive guy." Lily rolled her eyes. "Sure I can't live without pulling a prank every two seconds or keep a girlfriend for more than a week but deep down I'm a lonely, caring young man."

"Must be very deep down," Lily responded. They both broke out laughing.

"Hey what's taking you to so long?" James called from the living room. "If I didn't know any better I'd think you to were planning to run away together."

"Darling Lily, however did he find out?" Sirius asked as he entered the living room.

"Well, Dearest Sirius, we were never able to hide anything from him." They all laughed again and the night continued on. Many more jokes were told and lots of laughter filled the night till everyone headed home around midnight.

The next five and a half months passes by quickly for James and Lily, which was a very good thing. Lily was much more irritable and very sensitive to the things people said. It was almost a living hell for James. Luckily Sirius and Remus would come and stay with Lily so James could relax every once and awhile. They, too, found themselves wishing for her due date. From her mood swings to her cravings, life was all to crazy.

Early July 31, Lily was sitting with Sirius while James went to get some groceries. She was in a fairly good mood till unexpectedly she started having pains in her abdomen. After a few seconds they stopped so Lily pushed them out of her mind. Then minutes later they started again. Then her water broke.

"Sirius!" she said panicking. "I think the baby's coming."

"Crap," he whispered. "You know the first thing we need to do is get you to the hospital. Then I'll find Remus and have him go find James." Sirius said trying to remain calm.

By the time Lily was checked in a room the pains were now five minutes apart. "Sirius, you had better find James!" Lily screamed through a contraction. "Because I swear if he's not here for this I'm going to kill him!"

"Please try to calm down, Lily. Remus and James are on their way," Sirius soothed.

"Calm down!? Calm down!? I'm having a baby and my husband isn't even here! Might sound like a silly request but I want my husband here for the birth of our child!!"

"Alright, Lils. I'm going to go check if he's arrived yet." Sirius almost ran out of the room. Glad to be out of there he didn't pay attention and collided with James. "James!! You're here!" he said relieved.

"How's Lily?" James asked nervously.

"Wanting you! Now get in there!!"

About fifteen minutes or so after James arrived Lily gave birth to a healthy baby boy. James came out of the room looking exhausted but very happy. Sirius, Peter, Remus, and the members of the Order who had come by stood up. (That includes Professor Dumbledore.)

"It's a boy," James said proudly. Sirius and all his friends congratulated him.

"When can we see him?" Sirius wanted to know.

"Well, it's suppose to be only family, but Lily and I have something to ask you so you have permission, Sirius," James said.

"The rest of you can see him after he's been checked out by the doctor and is resting."

Sirius followed James into the room where a glowing (and still damp with sweat) Lily was holding a tiny bundle. "Sirius Black, meet Harry James Potter."

"He's so small," Sirius commented. "Hey, little guy."

"Sirius, we want you to be Harry's godfather," James said putting a hand on Lily's shoulder.

"Me?" They nodded. "I'm honored. Of course I'll be his godfather. Can I hold me godson?"

"Of course." And with that Lily handed the baby boy to Sirius.

Sirius looked down at little Harry and smiled. He was so happy for Lily and James. So amazing how much happiness you could still find in these dark times.