Hmm...two and a half years. No excuses. I feel like I finally have motivation to finish this. Hopefully I haven't alienated everyone.
James paced up and down the halls of St. Mungo's for the better part of an hour before he heard any news whatsoever. Many times healers ran past him, probably to accommodate the many injured witches and wizards being sent in from Diagon Alley, but no one even seemed to notice him.
"James!" he heard a voice shout out. He turned around and saw Sirius running towards him. "I heard what had happened, and came as quickly as I could, mate," he said, hugging James, "How is she?"
James ran his hand through his hair, in a worried gesture, "I don't know, they haven't told me anything. He—Voldemort—he cursed her. The Cruciatus! How could someone do that? The baby wasn't even due yet!" he shouted angrily. "What if she dies? What if the baby dies?"
He said all of this at a very rapid pace and Sirius motioned him over to some chairs. James shook his head and continued to pace. "James, everything will be all right. It will all turn out. I'm sure they've got their best healers on her case. How long was she cursed for?"
"I'm not sure—it seemed like forever. It was less than a minute though."
"They'll be fine, James. We're lucky that the Aurors arrived when they did."
Finally, a healer approached him.
"Mr. Potter?" he said, nodding his head towards James.
"Yes? How's Lily? Did she have the baby?" he asked frantically.
"Your wife is fine, fortunately. The charms she was using to protect the baby were enough to keep it alive. We'll need to keep him here for observation for a few days. He's small, and a little weak right now, but he should be fine. Your family is very lucky to have survived this attack."
"Can I see them?" he asked. The healer nodded.
"Come get me when you're ready, Prongs! Congratulations!" Sirius said, sitting back down in the waiting room. James followed the healer.
"Here we are," he said and knocked on the door.
"Come in," Lily answered quietly.
James grabbed the handle of the door hesitantly and took a deep breath. He opened the door to see Lily in bed. Her face was still red and her hair was sticking to her head with sweat, but she looked serene; next to her was a small cradle on wheels. There was a tiny bundle inside.
Lily smiled warmly at James. "We made it," she said happily.
"How are you? How is he?" James asked, taking a few steps forward.
"I've been better, the baby is sleeping. That's all he's done so far. He's very quiet," she responded peacefully.
James looked into the crib. There, swaddled in blankets was his son. He looked like any other sleeping baby except for the tuft of already unruly black hair on his head.
"Hello, Harry," James whispered. "We're still going with Harry, right?"
Lily nodded, "Harry James Potter."
That sat in silence for a few moments, in awe of the new baby, their baby. There was a knock at the door suddenly.
Lily and James looked at each other. Sirius was supposed to be waiting for James to come get him. They weren't expecting any more visitors. No one else should have known Lily had given birth yet, hardly anyone knew she was pregnant even! James drew his wand slightly, ready to attack if need be.
The door cracked open and Dumbledore entered. "I'm sorry to disturb you two during such a joyous event, but I'm afraid we must talk."
At the voice of the new visitor, Harry began to shift around in his crib and whimper a little. Lily was quick to pick him up.
"What is it this time, Professor?" James asked.
Dumbledore flicked his wand and a chair appeared. He sat himself down next to Lily's hospital bed and watched her with the baby.
"As a precaution, I think you may want to consider going into hiding for the remainder of the war, especially after today's events."
"What do you mean as a precaution?" Lily asked again.
"Keep in mind the prophecy that was made, Mrs. Potter," he responded evenly.
Lily paled. "Oh…what time was it when Harry was born, James?" she asked quickly.
"11:53."
"As the seventh month dies…" Lily's voice trailed off, her face eerily pale.
"What are you guys talking about? What prophecy?" James was getting irritated now.
"Come walk with me, James. There are a few things we should discuss. We shall speak somewhere safe and be back within the hour, Lily. There is extra security around this room, but I don't think there is any immediate danger as of yet."
James kissed Lily's forehead and the two men set out to find a fireplace. Lily was left all alone with her newborn.
"You've caused me a lot of trouble already, you know. You're not even a day old and you're giving me grey hairs," she mumbled. He opened his eyes for the first time. Lily gasped, seeing how vibrantly green they were for a newborn, "I guess you didn't get all your daddy's genes."
"That's a good thing. I don't think I could handle it if he had, " said a voice from the doorway. Snape came hesitantly through the door. "Congratulations, Evans," he said quietly.
"Thank you, Severus. It's great to see you…it's been far too long."
"How are you feeling? Were there any complications? I tried to stop them, I swear I did—"
"Sev, I'm fine. Harry came a little soon, but he should be fine as well."
"Lily, I have something to tell you…I tried to stop by the other night. I tried to warn you that he had found out—"
"What stopped you?" Lily interrupted.
"James answered the door. Understandably, he didn't want me to have anything to do with you."
"Why didn't you try harder? You could've let someone in the Order know. Someone could've reached us. Prevented this. Do you know what this means now that he's been born early?"
"I have heard about the prophecy that was made. Even if it is Potter's son, I'm sorry to hear that you have to go through all of this trouble now."
"How can you pass such hatred onto an innocent baby? He's just as much a part of me as he is of James," Lily replied, hugging Harry closer to her.
"He looks like a carbon copy of your husband. I'm sorry, I'm acting just as childish as…" he drew in a sharp breath as Harry opened his eyes, "He's got your magnificent eyes."
Lily smiled as he sat down in the chair that Dumbledore had previously occupied and they sat in silence for a while.
In another part of the hospital, James and Dumbledore were strolling through the hallways.
"The attack today was a massacre. Too many people were caught in the crossfire," Dumbledore said as wizard after wizard still entered, seeking help.
"How long did it take for the Order to get things under control after we left?" James asked. They were now passing a man whose right arm was scorched.
"It was a good fifteen minutes or so before Voldemort and his followers left, but what I really wanted to talk to you about was the reason they attacked in the first place. Now, am I correct in assuming you and Lily were discreet about her pregnancy?"
James nodded, "Sirius and Remus were the only ones we specifically told. Oh! And Snape! I'll bet you anything it was that slimy git who ratted us out!"
"James, Severus has proven his loyalty to me. I can assure you that even though you two carry on your rivalry, he would never compromise your lives."
"How could—"
"But, now on to what I really wanted to discuss with you: Voldemort. It has been prophesied that as the seventh month dies, a boy would be born to parents who thrice defied Voldemort. This boy will turn out to be the one who conquers Voldemort once and for all. We need to do everything in our power to keep Harry safe. I would suggest using a Fidelius charm, personally."
"What is that?" James asked. Charms had never been his greatest subject back at Hogwarts.
"It is a spell that would completely hide your home, and your family. Your secret-keeper would be the sole person to know where you are located."
"So we'll be stuck at home indefinitely?" James asked.
"I'm afraid so, James."
"We won't do it--I'll take Voldemort myself!"
"James. There isn't much time. I would be more than happy to be your secret-keeper, but I will let you and Lily discuss matters privately. Be careful with your decision though, I fear that someone has infiltrated the Order."
With that, the old wizard escorted James back to hihs wife's hospital room to relay the news.