Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter
Beta: Cookies and Cream1234567
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Lily swept into the kitchen, light on her feet and robe flowing behind her. She spun a bit to swing the fridge open and pull out a pitcher of water. She had placed it onto the table when James walked in, straightening his robes. They were a nice shade of blue today, simple, yet charming. Their color made the inky blackness of his hair stand out. She stepped forward and tugged on them, pecking a kiss on his lips and attempting to straighten out the fly-aways atop his head.
"Morning, darling," she breathed; popping two pieces of bread into the toaster she had insisted they buy.
"Morning Lily," he replied, sitting himself in a seat at the table. He drew his wand from his pocket and began to carve little shapes into the table, more out of habit than anything. It was overflowing with all the little pictures that their friends had bestowed upon it. If they wished to continue the tradition they'd soon have to buy a new wooden table.
"Orange juice?" she asked him, opening the fridge once more. He frowned and stood.
"Sit down Lily, you need rest," he urged, grabbing her by the waist and guiding her to a chair.
"Calm yourself," she laughed. "I'm just fine making breakfast."
"Just fine?" he scoffed. "One month Lily, one month. For all we know Harry could come this very moment."
"No James, Harry's not going to becoming any time soon, I should hope not at least. I'm personally hoping he'll be late…a few weeks even," she sighed. An August baby sounded nice. It sounded safe.
"Even if he is born as 'July dies' it will all be fine, Lily," he assured her. Nevertheless, Lily could still hear the fear in his voice.
"Let's not think of that now, though," she decided. "What do you want on your toast?" she asked him, making the moves to stand. He lightly pressed her shoulders back down into the chair.
"I'll get it. SIT," he spoke commandingly. She rolled her eyes, yet followed his words nonetheless.
"Any big plans for today?" she asked him as he bustled around the kitchen, pulling various jams out of the cupboards and fridge.
"Not much," he replied. "Paperwork, lots of that as usual. Sirius and I are having a competition though, that will be fun."
"Competition?" Lily questioned.
"We guess how many people in the office have dark marks, it's a riot," he laughed.
"You do realize that not all of his followers have dark marks? Only the ones in the center do," she spoke.
"Well we know that, we just like to pretend they all do."
"How are you to know then?"
"Whether or not they're death eaters?"
"Yes."
"They just have this look about them, like they have stick up their-"
"James," she spoke warningly.
"Bum…"
"Better," she supplied. She had been trying to get James to stop swearing, they couldn't have him cursing around Harry. Besides, he needed to get out of the habit anyway.
"What are you doing today?" he asked her.
"Putting together a shopping list probably," she said, picking up the piece of toast he had set in front of her.
"Don't miss me too much," he grinned cheekily, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
"Enjoy your competition," she replied as he made his way to the fireplace.
"Thanks, see you tonight," he called before he disappeared in a poof of green smoke.
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Lily sighed and pressed her hand to her forehead. She had told him the truth. Making a shopping list was indeed in her plans for the day, but she was also going to go and buy the things on the list. James was adamant about her not going anywhere without him, but she needed to pick up some vitamins and such at the apothecary in Diagon Alley. She had been feeling rather under the weather and didn't wish to worry him. It was simply that she needed more nutrients for the baby than her food along could supply. James wouldn't understand due to the fact that he was so very protective. It was for his own good, she had convinced herself.
She tugged at her own day robes she had put on, flattening out their dark grey color. She wished to be inconspicuous and the grey was perfect and brought out her eyes. Lily moved to the bathroom as well and pulled out her wand, muttering a simple spell to change the color of her hair under her breath. She inspected her roots, making sure none of her vibrant red was still present and was pleased to see that she had successfully changed her hair to a dark brown. It was pleasant color for her skin and eyes; actually, she found herself liking it a lot more than the blonde she sometimes used when going out.
Within seconds she was stepping out of the Leaky Cauldron and into Diagon Alley, having taken the floo network directly there. It wouldn't be long before she was unable to use the floo. She was still worried of hurting Harry, but desperately needed the vitamins. In all honestly, Lily figured she didn't have the best common sense at the time, but went with it anyway. The apothecary was but a few yards from the Cauldron, she'd be in and out in no time.
"Lily," some one reached out and touched her shoulder, calling her name. She spun around, grabbing her stomach only to meet the dark eyes of one she hadn't seen in a very long time.
"Sev," she breathed. How he had recognized her she did not know.
Lily glanced over her old friend, disappointed in what she saw. His form was slim, unhealthily so, and his features paler than she had remembered. His dark hair was long and stringy, his nose as sloped as ever. He reminded her of James in that moment, but only for a second. The two shared the same worried look in their eyes; it was something she could not deny.
"You shouldn't be here," he murmured ushering her to the side of a building. His hand on her elbow made her squirm.
"I'm perfectly fine and would appreciate it if you didn't touch me," she spoke bitingly, her voice coming out harsher than she had intended. He flinched away and she felt the guilt creep in. She reached her hand out to touch him, but thought better of it and drew it back to rest on her stomach. She saw his eyes glance there and he scowled.
"When are you due?" he choked out.
"I don't know if I should say," she whispered, seeing the look in his eyes.
"Tell me, Lily, please," he looked so lost then, so alone.
"The end of July," his face fell and for a moment she thought he knew. How could he though? It was Dumbledore who had heard the prophecy, Dumbledore and Dumbledore alone. There was no way. He finally looked back up at her.
"Go home, Lily, go home and don't come out alone again," he gripped her shoulders and her eyes widened. She saw the horrid mark on his wrist as his robes slid down his arm. She had always known, she had just denied it. He was one of them.
"I can handle myself Severus and would appreciate it if you didn't draw attention to me," she hissed, glancing around. He paled even further, if at all possible, and took a large step back. She narrowed her eyes and frowned. "How did you recognize me?" she finally asked, wanting to know what the flaw in her disguise was. Was it her pregnancy? Her green eyes?
"The way you carry yourself," he spoke softly. "Like you're so in control that nothing else around you matters because you can handle it. Not many people can walk like that."
"That's nice Sev," the name felt unfamiliar on her tongue. "I need to go now, to get some thing." Lily turned to leave, but he grabbed her upper arm. She spun around; ready to demand he let her go, but his eyes made her stop.
"You need to be careful Lily."
"I know."
"And your friend, the pregnant one," he started.
"Alice?"
"Watch her, she may need your help," Lily was about to ask him what he meant but in seconds he had let go of her arm, stepped back, and was gone with the spin of his heels and a loud 'POP'.
Lily shook her head and wrapped her arms around herself. A chilled wind swept through her then brown locks and she shivered. With that she left, not even bothering to get the vitamins she had arrived for.
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James burst into his home, eyes frantically searching out Lily' familiar form. He raced from room to room, hoping to see her locks of red, only to find her out in the garden, tending to the strawberries. The sun was giving them a rather hard time and Lily was determined to keep them alive and well.
She was on her knees, hunched over the blooming plants, stomach nearly touching the ground. It was quite uncomfortable really, but she found herself, and Harry, getting used to the awkward position. Besides that, the sun was nice and comforting on her back.
"Lily!" he called after her once his eyes had caught her figure. Her head whipped up at his hurried tone. Their eyes met and she knew something was wrong.
Lily stood carefully, using her hands on the ground to help her up. She stretched her back a bit before walking to where James was standing. He brushed bits of dirt off her forehead that she must have accidentally rubbed him. A smile came to his lips as he took her in. Her large shirt was hanging off of her shoulders as her clothes always did. While her stomach continued to grow the rest of her remained the same. It made buying clothing a nuisance, but she had grown used to wearing the large shirts that would barely stretch across her stomach yet droop at her shoulders. Her growing hair was piled atop her head, bits and pieces floating out here and there. Her freckles were becoming more vibrant as the time she spent in the sun lengthened. While Lily was growing more and more beautiful, James seemed to becoming more and more grey.
His hair was longer than it had been, in dire need of a haircut, and lacked the usual bounce it had always held. His wire glasses on his long nose were constantly crooked seeing as he had better things to do than adjust them every few minutes and his hazel eyes, while still loving and pure, held a sadness and almost…depression Lily had never seen before. His complexion was awfully pale and Lily noticed he seemed to be losing weight as well. It made her wonder what she was missing out in the real world.
She smiled encouragingly, wanting him to be able to tell her what it was that was happening. Usually he woke around eight, making sure she had breakfast to eat and a good book to read before leaving through the floo and returning around six. They were brilliant hours really, perfect for their lifestyle. It wasn't often that he was out late, especially since the Ministry had been corrupted. James had given up on Order missions until the baby was born as well. His eyes widened as he realized why he had come home early from work in the first place.
"Frank," he finally breathed, moving his hand to cup her cheek. "He's gone missing."
"Missing?" Lily echoed, not believing what she was hearing.
"They sent him out to the field last week, he was to be gone for a few days, but he still hasn't gotten back."
"They actually sent him out? I thought they were hardly doing that any more."
"That's the thing Lils, they aren't doing that anymore, yet they sent him out any way," he spoke in a hushed voice. He watched as Lily finally realized what he was saying.
"They're trying to get rid of him," she breathed. James nodded and he saw Lily's frown deepen. She looked up at him, green eyes wide. "Why didn't Alice tell me? I saw her just two days ago!"
It was true; Alice and Lily had taken to bonding over movies and popcorn. They'd sit side by side on the couch and Harry and Neville would kick at each other. They'd laugh, creating stories about the wonderful adventures their children would go on together. Granted, Alice had seemed a little on edge the last time Lily had seen her, but not once had she mentioned anything about Frank being sent out by the Ministry.
"She was worried Lily, and I'm guessing she didn't want you to worry as well. That's why I didn't tell you."
"You should have though James," she spoke, a smidge angry with the both of them. "Frank is my friend as well."
"I know and I'm sorry Lily, truly."
"What are we going to do James? Does anyone know? Sirius? Marlene? Remus? Dumbledore? Do they know?"
"Dumbledore knows, I told him just this morning when he suggested I tell you," James spoke, his words slowing down Lily knew there was more, she could see the sadness in his eyes.
"He's okay, isn't he?" she whispered.
"Alice went after him."
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