Disclaimer: I am not George Lucas or J.K. Rowling.
Enter James and Granger, with Percy and Hedwig, at the Ministry Headquarters.
Granger. Potter. The Ministry cannot praise you enough.
James. Thank you, Senator Granger.
Percy. [to Hedwig] It couldn't possibly be as bad as all that.
Hedwig. [beeps and whistles]
Percy. Well, there, I agree with you. In fact, I could do with a tune-up myself.
Exit Percy and Hedwig.
Granger. The end of Count Yaxley will surely bring an end to this war, and an end to the Ministry's draconian security measures.
James. I wish that were so, but the fighting is going to continue until General Mulciber is spare parts.
Enter Senator Lily Evans.
Granger. I'll do everything I can with the Wizengamot.
James. Thank you, Senator Granger. [sees Lily] Excuse me.
Granger. Certainly.
Exit Granger. James hugs Lily. They kiss
Lily. Oh, James. Thank Merlin, you're back.
James. I missed you, Lily.
Lily. There were whispers that you'd been killed.
James. I'm all right. It feels like we've been apart for a lifetime. And it might have been if the Minister hadn't been kidnapped. I don't think they would have ever brought us back from the Muggle Suburb Sieges.
James tries to kiss her, but Lily steps back.
Lily. Wait. Not here.
James. Yes, here. I'm tired of all this deception. I don't care if they know we're married.
Lily. James. Don't say things like that.
James looks at her.
James. Are you all right? You're trembling. What's going on?
Lily. Something wonderful has happened. I'm . . . James. I'm pregnant.
James takes her in his arms.
James. That's . . . that's wonderful.
Lily. What are we going to do?
James. We're not going to worry about anything right now, all right? This is a happy moment. The happiest moment of my life.
James and Lily embrace.
Later that night, James and Lily stand on the balcony of Lily's apartment.
Lily. James. I want to have our baby back home on Spinner's End. We could go to the Black Lake where no one would know, where we would be safe. I could go early and fix up the baby's room. I know the perfect spot, right by the gardens.
James. You're so beautiful.
Lily. It's only because I'm so in love.
James. No. It's because I'm so in love with you.
Lily. So love has blinded you?
James. That's not . . . that's not exactly what I meant.
Lily. No. But it's probably true.
That night, James has a horrible dream.
Lily is giving birth and screaming.
James, help me! James, help! I love you! I love you!
She dies.
James jumps away, and sees Lily alive, beside him. Breathing heavily, he walks from the room.
Enter Lily.
What's bothering you?
James. Nothing.
James touches Lily's necklace.
I remember when I gave this to you.
Lily. How long is it going to take for us to be honest with each other?
James. It was a dream.
Lily. Bad?
James. Like the ones I used to have about my mother just before she died.
Lily. And?
James. It was about you.
Lily. Tell me.
James. It was only a dream. [sighs] You die in childbirth.
Lily. And the baby?
James. I don't know.
Lily. It was only a dream.
James. I won't let this one become real.
They embrace.
Lily. James, this baby will change our lives. I doubt the Queen will continue to allow me to serve in the Wizengamot, and if the Order discovers you are the father, you will be expelled from the Order of the Phoenix.
James. I know.
Lily. Do you think Sirius might be able to help us?
James. No, I can't. I'd have to tell him.
Lily. He's your best mate, James. He must suspect already.
James. Suspicion is not knowing. He's still on the Board. He'd have to report me. And . . .
Lily. And what? Is there something you haven't told me?
James. I'm not sure he's on my side.
Lily. Your side? James. What are you saying?
James. He's on a member of the Order of the Phoenix, Lily. I know my name has come up for Mastery. I'm more powerful than any Auror Master alive. But someone is blocking me. Sirius could tell me who, and why. But he doesn't. I'm not sure he even stands up for me with them.
Lily. I can't believe that.
James. It has nothing to do with believing. It's the truth.
Lily. There must be some reason, then. James. He's your best mate. He loves you.
James. Maybe he does. But I don't think he trusts me. And I'm not sure we can trust him.
Lily. James. What would make you say that?
James. None of them trust me, Lily. None of them. You know what I feel, when they look at me?
Lily. James . . .
James. Fear. I feel their fear . . . and for nothing.
Lily stares at James, stunned.
Oh, Lily. I'm so sorry. Forget I said anything. None of that matters now. I'll be gone from the Order soon, because I will not let you go away to have our baby in some alien place. I will not let you face my dream alone. I will be there for you, Lily. Always. No matter what.
Lily. I know it, James. I know.
James. All right. Just . . . just don't say anything to Sirius, eh? We don't need his help. Our baby is a blessing, not a problem.
Exit all.