Chapter I – The Potter Heir

December 9, 1979

James Potter walked down the stairs of Potter Manor, grinning as he reread the letter clutched in his hand. It was the first time in months since he had become a full-time auror, that he had a whole day free from work. He loved being an auror... mostly. But the constant paperwork and being busy, just a few months after his marriage was not so much happy labour for the man.

The thought of the love of his life, made him grin wider. He still could not believe that he had been married for six months, to Lily Evans! The girl, that he so dearly loved and had been wooing for years had finally caved in enough to marry him. Lily Mary Potter, neé Evans was a beautiful woman or as James described her 'my redhead beauty'. She had Auburn hair with streaks of crimson red which separated her from other redheads. She had a small round face with sharp features, but that wasn't what entranced him. Nah! it was her eyes. Big almond-shaped emerald green eyes. The first time that he had looked into them, he had been zipped shut. They held power, a beauty, innocence, and mirth which had made him forget his reply. It was back during the very first train ride to Hogwarts, where he had continued to be in her presence for the next seven years.

He hadn't fallen in love back then. No! He still found girls annoying at that time. But he had been mesmerized by those eyes. In his fourth year, he finally started noticing her. Her little habits, her laugh, her anger. But it was the genuine concern and kindness in her eyes, on learning about Remus, that had captured his heart. She wasn't scared or disgusted as many would have been. It was that exact moment that he had fallen for her. The moment, the question to be his date had become genuine. Oh, he was prat! She didn't give him a minute of her day till the sixth year. According to Miss Evans, he was an egoistic, self-centred, bullying arrogant toerag and rightly so. He was all that and more, a jokester who found fun in embarrassing others.

Bullying, well not as much, but he had to agree to that when it came to the Slytherins. He still remembered his mother shouting at him when she got to know of his prejudice about her previous house. The moment she asked if he would repeat those hexes on her because after all, she was a snake, he learned his mistake. He was grateful that he wasn't that much of an idiot, that he had seriously hurt someone. Thankfully he always wanted to embarrass them more than hurt them. And so, did James Potter grew. He still was a marauder and a prankster but played pranks that earned laughs from everyone including the one who was the subject of the prank. He for the most part either ignored his rival house unless it was on the quidditch pitch. Well, everyone leaving for one greasy-haired bat, who thought that he had stolen Lily from him. If he never met that man again, it would be too soon. He shook his head to clear it, no thoughts about a death eater to spoil the day.

Today was about a happy dinner. In ages, they had gotten a free day together. The ancestral home of the Potters' was redolent of the mouth-watering food being prepared for guests. He was bouncing on his heels in excitement and joy.

It was hard to mar today's happiness. Not even the ranging war outside the walls of the manor could affect anything. The order had been busy for a month trying to dig some information about the death eaters. That was all they did. Information, spies, and then damage control. They had had many run-ins with the death eaters and he along with Lily had faced Voldemort twice themselves, though, had to escape before they could be killed. But the order never did go out to raid or do anything that James and his little 'merry group' as the older members of order called them- suggested.

There were some spies in death eater ranks for Dumbledore, they generally didn't last long. Voldemort had very nasty ways to determine the loyalty of his slaves. Order hardly ever knew the identity of the spy. Even after the spies' information, all they could do was damage control. They hardly ever ambushed a pre-planned death eater raid. But were repeatedly found and killed by them. It was a known fact that there was at least a spy in the order, but 'who?' was the appropriate question. James had repeatedly suggested a loyalty oath but was met with looks of displeasure and an unsavoury answer by Dumbledore, 'If we do not have trust amongst ourselves, we won't be able to survive' in his grandfatherly way. Bullshit. A loyalty oath would strengthen the trust. They wouldn't have to be wary of every person. But after all, he was a mere mischief-maker in the eyes of the headmaster, who still had difficulty seeing beyond the fact that he wasn't a student any longer.

There were many such lists of anxious thoughts. But today, wasn't the day to ponder in that territory, today was the day of celebration. He had just received a letter from Frank to inform him about little Longbottom on the way. Marlene and Sirius were already a few weeks along. So the reunion was going to be a blast. They had been wanting to get together for a while, but in the current situation, a gathering was too dangerous. Especially, according to Dumbledore but they had somehow planned it all secretly. Neither Remus nor Peter could come, thus for security, they weren't told where they were going to meet. James felt bad, but that was what it was. You could not trust anyone blindly anymore. Not even your family, no one knew when the other could be imperioed or a polyjuced death eater. The information could have put them in danger if somehow someone knew. He sighed and shook his head, before again smiling at the prospect of the party.

He walked into the sitting room where the three other residents of Caren's Hills were sitting in silence.

"What happened?" he asked, his smile instantly gone, "Who was attacked? Any survivor? Who died?"

"No one James. At least, no one we knew" replied Lily with a sigh, keeping the daily prophet aside. The newspaper had recently become as inefficient as it could. No proper statements, no proper records, just empty promises from the so-called ministry. The auror department was far stretched. You could count the effective people in the department on your fingers. Of course James, an auror was one amongst them.

The said wizard looked around and at the blank expression of his wife. She betrayed no emotion, and that was unnerving. He gulped audibly, trying to remember anything he might have forgotten. He turned to look at his parents, who sat on the love seat with a slightly amused mixed with a curious expression.

"So?" he bobbed his head, "what exactly is this family meeting about?"

"Your wife called it" stated Charles, "she said we should wait for you" he added with a smirk, which quickly changed into an innocent look, "What did you do son?"

Dorea looked more amused by each passing second and Lily had to work on keeping a straight face.

"Nothing!" James deadpanned, "I didn't do anything. I promise flower, it wasn't me."

Lily hid her mischievous smirk as she asked, "Sure Jamie? Wasn't you?" she stressed each word.

"No! I promise! It Wasn't me! Must have been Padfoot!" He exclaimed, to the amusement of the two ladies and confusion of the head of the house.

"I am sure you will be eager to admit your fault once you hear it" his mother drawled with a grin. Lily stared at her mother-in-law, wondering if she actually knew what was happening or was just teasing her son. "Oh quit it, Lily, you aren't the only potion prodigy in this house. It took me less than a few seconds after I saw the potion simmering." She grinned, "So?" she asked eagerly, not able to hold in the excitement any longer.

"What. is. going. on?" Asked James, looking between her wife and mother.

"Exactly! What is it?" Charles asked in a no-nonsense voice looking directly at his daughter-in-law. Lily blushed crimson before pulling out a vial and keeping it on the coffee table in front. Dorea squealed while Charles whooped out of joy.

"What is this?" James asked, confusion clear on his face making his wife roll her eyes, "Come on James, you had a NEWT in potions. You should have recognized it" she scolded. James just gave an utterly puzzled look in return.

Charles shook his head with a big grin. "This! idiot son," he began with a chuckle, "you should accept as your doing. Otherwise, I am sure Lily is likely to kill you for not accepting that you got her pregnant." He stood up and crossed the table to drop a kiss on Lily's head. "Congratulations dear."

"Thank you dad"

"Concipuo examen?" James asked, finally breaking out of his stupor. "It is lilac." He mumbled. "I am going to be a father?"

"Uh-huh!?" began Lily with a big smile, "the potion did tell me, I am going to be a mother, well unless-" however she did not get to complete, as an excited James Potter quickly picked her up, chanting, "I am going to be a father" repeatedly, as he spun the two of them.

"Jamie put me down"

"We are going to have a baby!"

"I know! Merlin! James put me down."

"I'll be a father!"

"James Potter," Lily shrieked, "Put me down! Now!" and so he did, carefully placing her on the couch. Lily rolled her eyes at his antics while Dorea and Charles laughed at the expense of the couple.

"Congratulations to you two," said a cheerful Dorea as she hugged her children in her big motherly embrace, kissing their foreheads. "I still can't fathom the fact that in a few months we will have a young little Potter. I will be granny. Oh! I feel so old!" She joked.

"Come on now Dorea! You know you are impatient to hold your first grandchild! I am" announced Charles, "Remember how you were when we heard about James! This is going to be James baby!"

James grinned at the statement, "My baby" he whispered before pulling his wife into a hug where she cuddled contentedly. He smiled down at the woman in her arms. The moment was bewitching with hope for a bright future. He kissed her head and sighed, to have the woman he loved more than life itself, carrying his child in his arms, he was a lucky man. He looked at the letter still clutched in his hand and chuckled, "I came to tell you about Frank and Alice expecting a baby." He handed her the letter, "Never had I the slightest idea that I would have a piece of similar news waiting for me!"

"Alice is pregnant?" Lily asked, her eyes wide like a child making James chuckle as he nodded. "Oh! Wouldn't that be wonderful? I will have my best friends to share a similar experience with. James! Marlene, Alice and I. Oh, this is wonderful!" She gushed.

"Yes, it is, flower!" James kissed his Lily. "Should we announce it tonight? Or want to keep it secret?"

"I want to shout and tell the whole world, Jamie! But we will tell only our friends for now. Not even the order!" James nodded in agreement.

"So" Charles clapped, having thought his decision thoroughly, "on the occasion of this auspicious news, I want to pass on the legacy."

"Dad?" James asked quietly, understanding the meaning of the words.

"Shh James! I am not pushing you into it today itself, but I want to announce it today." James nodded reluctantly. Lily looked half curious, half-scared while Dorea wore a pleasant smile.

She removed the Potter amulet, that she had worn for ore the past thirty years, passing it to Lily.

"Mum?" Lily prompted. She was confused, she was still learning about her new family. She fit perfectly amongst the new world that she had entered eight years ago. She had accepted the fact that she was a witch and had learned accordingly. She did have some concerns about the wizarding world but she didn't compare to the muggle works. Wizards, had their history, a proud history, which she had accepted and sought to progress on. She didn't think of magic as some powers, as most muggle-born did, but as the unit of their life. She was as Charles said, a perfect which to be the next Lady of the house. And she was learning to be so, sincerely.

"This," it was Charles who began the explanation, "is the Potter amulet. It is given to the Lady of the house. It has protections, against potions, charms, and basic hexes or curses, but basically, it is a strong portkey that activates if you somehow lose consciousness, and will at once bring you here. It is not just a beautiful piece of jewellery, but protection. The lady wears it until she passes it on to the next lady of the house. You dear, as the bearer of the heir of our line, is now to be passed on this heirloom."

"But-" she spluttered. She had never seen her mother-in-law without the amulet, and it felt wrong to take it. She was not the Lady of the house. Not yet.

"This, no way tells you that you are weak! It is for your protection in situations when it is an emergency. It is to protect that child as much as you" he told her sternly. Lily nodded reluctantly, her face flushed at the slight rebuke. James silently helped her to put it on. The amulet had a dainty chain of some alloy with a teardrop pendant in the centre which had an amethyst stone fixated in it. It was a beautiful work of craft. She smiled her thanks and cuddled back into her husband's arms.

Charles smiled at Dorea before continuing, "As I was saying, the Potter family is a prominent old family. Our history is great and prideful. We haven't ever been the petty purebloods. The family has not lost its old teachings, thus it never fell for the changing narrative. Our ancestors have always stood strong. The Ancient and Noble House of Potter had always had a tradition of a father passing his seats and titles to the oldest son at age of 50. As you know young marriage has been common in our world approximately the child has always been about 25 or more, when he gets the responsibility. But my parents were both brilliant potion masters. They almost doubled our wealth and reputation. But in that, my father did not want to take the political seats. So my grandfather taught me as his heir. I was only 20 when I took up the title, just married young man. I enjoy politics, always had, but the wars, early duties, and political responsibility meant we kept delaying having a child. Then it was almost a blessing when we had you, as we had almost lost hope. I taught you, son. Our history, which you'll pass on. Our culture. Our world. Defence. Fight. A lot of politics too. But you have a lot to learn before I pass on to the next realm-"

"-Dad!-" James interrupted, but his father held up a hand to shut him.

"-I am still speaking son. I have been doing all the duties longer than I should have. I have still the duty to pass on every knowledge to you. You are going to be a father my boy. I will pass on the title on your 21st birthday but I want to start to train you. You are a wonderful son my boy, dare I say a wonderful husband and a great man too. You will be a perfect dad but, if I don't do this I will fail my duties as a father. Yes, I will!" he added as his son shook his head in denial, "Don't make me. Let me help you to learn to take over as long as I can. We are at war. I survived one before. Who says survive this one too?"

"Dad please! No! Don't say that. I may become a father but I'll always need my 'da'. If you want to teach me how to improve, become responsible, know my duties, how can I say no? It will help me learn what I have to do one day. What I have to pass on. It's our legacy. I will do my best to keep it flourishing. But don't say you'll leave me. I'll always need you da." The sincerity in his son's voice made him smile.

"I am with you, my family till my last breadth son."

"So now! Sharp at 6 tomorrow morning at my study" James spluttered but nodded under his father's gaze. "Good. Kelsie" he said, quickly writing a short note on a conjured piece of parchment

The head elf popped into the room, "Sir called Kelsie? What can I do for sir?"

"Could you please deliver this note to Andromeda Tonks?"

"Certainly master. Is that all?"

"Yes, Kelsie. You may go."

As the elf popped away, Charles noticed the inquisitive looks, "She might not able to practice right now, but she is the best healer." He explained.

"Oh I forgot about seeing a healer!" exclaimed Lily. "Thank you dad"

"Quite alright. I guess you two need time with each other before you get ready for your get-together. We'll be in the East wing, so as not to disturb you kids. Enjoy and be careful."

"Ask away if you have any problem, Lily," said Dorea before following her husband to their rooms.

The young couple smiled at each other before melting into a sweet kiss. The world seemed too bright at the moment. Filled only with happiness. James silently picked her up in his arms and walked upstairs to their room.

She looked beautiful as always, as she cuddled deeper into his chest. She as always managed to turn his heart into a poodle.

James watched Lily sitting beside her friends in the other corner of the common room. It was the second day of their sixth year and he had unceremoniously asked her out that morning like every year only to be turned down again. He sighed as he looked at the girl."Stop it Prongs," said Sirius. "She rejected you for the hundredth time. She wouldn't move so why are you so stubborn. Almost every girl at Hogwarts will date you if you ask them out. If she does not, well, her loss. Do not inflate her ego too much.""It isn't like that Pads. She is- is not everyone. There is something in her that - that, I don't know calls me out.""It's nothing, James. Just that she is acting tough and you want to crack that hard shell" but James shook his head to deny."No! I just feel a pull towards her. Like something in me gets excited when she is near" Sirius smirked and opened his mouth to reply only to be smacked by Remus."Not everyone thinks by their D' Padfoot. Do not say just what you thought." Sirius pouted but shut his mouth. "Prongs, I get it. You like her, a lot. But she does not. Let it go. She finally is warming up to be something akin to a friend. Do not spoil that." His friend advised.He sighed and nodded, that was the last time James Potter mooed over Lily Evans in front of his friends or anyone. The next whole year he silently admired her, realizing how hard he had fallen in love with her. He dreamt of a life with her. Marriage, children, things he had never thought of. In his heart, he always knew, that she was the one.

James shook the memory out of his head as he gently laid her down on their bed, sliding in next to her. He gently kissed her at the nape of her neck.

"This is the best day of my life" he murmured against her soft skin.

Lily giggled, turning in his arms to face him as she smiled brightly. The happiness in her eyes was more than any words could describe. He kissed her softly, conveying all his love, gratefulness, and happiness through it. "I love you" she whispered in his mouth.

"I love you too gorgeous, more than anything else in the world." They cuddled into their bed, too entranced in each other.

"What made you think to take the pregnancy test? Did you notice any symptoms?"

"A few"

"You are fine right? Are you sure you want to do dinner? We can cancel it. Do you think we should call Andy immediately? Do you know how many weeks along you are?"

"JAMES!"

"What?" he asked concerned. Lily captured his lips with hers, calming him down.

"I am fine! Andy will come tomorrow. No, I do not know how many weeks along I am but we'll know tomorrow. There is no need to cancel the dinner. I am not a patient, just pregnant. I might get sick due to a few things, a few smells, foods, or something else but it is okay. I just need you to calm down and hold me." She sighed into his arms as she buried her face further into his shoulder.

James nodded as he held her closer, running his figure through her locks lovingly and dropping a kiss into her hair. "Was this the reason you looked under the weather for a few days?"

"Uhuh, I am not being able to stand the smell of cooking ham. That is why I told Maddy to not include anything that has ham in my meal. I think she took out the ham completely from the house" Lily told him with a chuckle.

"Good, tell me if I can do anything."

"Nothing love, I can not tell you how happy I am"

"I know!" He smiled, playing with her wedding ring, "I have wanted you for so long. Loved you for long from so far that it used to ache. I had almost lost hope to ever find you. I knew you were the one for me and it hurt more. We have been married for six months! And each day of the past six months was a blessing. I love you so much, Lily Mary Potter."

She smiled, holding his face gently as she gave him a long, slow kiss.

"I love you too James Charles Potter. I always used to get so angry at myself for being attracted to you. You were such a part, arrogant, and a joker that I never wanted to admit that I liked you. I think I started falling for you in the third year. As the girls used to gush over the handsome James Potter and how cute he is. How you were always a gentleman. Your eyes used to dance with the mischief, they still do. I used to get so angry for stealing glances at you. And you never made it easy. The first time you asked me, I knew it was just another date for you and that riled me up. I didn't want to be one of the other girls that had dated The James Potter"

"I used to date other girls because you never said, yes. I got so irritated with myself that I could not get over you but then I used to look at your face and tell myself that it was worth it. It drove Remus and Siri bonkers that I didn't stop courting you. Even when I stopped, I always dreamt about you, about us. For me you were it."

"I remember being so annoyed at you in our sixth year! I finally saw in your eyes what I always wanted to see and then you just stopped asking. It took Remus to plan out to get us together. I even love your mischievous side, I was just afraid of that bully and arrogance."

"I never even realized that! I wanted to be a prankster and my ego, well you develop some after being so dearly loved and admired by everyone."

"Prat" she laughed hitting his chest lightly.

"And you love this prat"

"Merlin save me! I do" she mumbled, cuddling back into his arms.

They stayed in the same position for a few hours before getting ready for dinner with friends and family. The smiles were forever plastered on their faces, such that even fate had to admire the love. Nothing mattered more to the to-be parents than their love, their little family, and its protection. Lily held the amulet in her hand praying whatever higher power resided across the stars to bless her family with protection.

Fate just smiled sadly.

The fireplace in the sitting room flared green a second before a tall man and a beautiful woman stepped out of the floo, elegantly. The right hand of the man immediately went to hold his girl closer. Sirius Black grinned at his fiancee running his fingers through his dark locks. He was the heart of the group. The loudest and liveliest of all. His life was not easy or perfect as people generally thought. He just never showed it outright by being the child of the group. The only two people who truly understood him were James Potter, his brother in all but blood, and his love, Marlene McKinnon. She was the only person who could tame him.

The former of the two stood in front of him with a wand directly at his face. "Who caught us with firewhiskey and in which year?"

Sirius rolled his eyes, "Dumbledore in our fifth year, the day we had completed our OWLS. He confiscated it and gave us detention with Filch, also a warning that if he catches us again he would call our parents or worse tell Minnie, of course, he called her McGonagall, which would have resulted in you getting spanked for sure." he chuckled while Marlene watched the conversation with amusement. James glared at his cousin before smirking and turning to Marlene, "Whom did I catch you with, in the broom closet in our seventh year?"

"Come on Jamie I know she is my- Wait! What!? Seventh year? She was with me since the end of sixth!" He shrieked. Marlene giggled and lightly patted his cheek.

"With Lily" she answered, "we were hiding from Filch after we had charmed him to purr whenever he opened his mouth" that made the three crack up in laughter. Imagining the caretaker purring was amusing. The man was always in anger.

"Oh, that was a good day!" James sighed reminiscing, "he didn't get out of his office for the whole day!"

Sirius was still alternating between chuckling and glaring at his best friend.

"I'll get you for this one Prongs" he mumbled still not liking the idea of how the question had sounded. James slung an arm across his shoulder to direct him to the couch. "Come on Padfoot, all in good mood"

"All in good mood" Sirius agreed with a mischievous smile.

Maddy popped in with snacks and tea, Sirius immediately grabbed the chocolate chip cookies. "No one makes the cookies as delicious as you Maddie," he said kissing his fingers.

Maddie grinned and bowed at the praise. The elves at the Potter household were too used to Sirius' antiques. This was his home too since the day he had run from the house he grew up in. Charles and Dorea loved him like a second son. The elves adored him and Marlene, whenever they visited the manor. The couple had shifted to a cottage that was previously owned by Sirius' uncle.

"Where are the other Potter's" Sirius questioned as James served the two of them.

"Mum and dad are in the east wing. Most probably in the study or library. They didn't want to be in between us kids" he shook his head. "Lily must be on her way. She was in the kitchen, making sure dinner was ready."

Lily entered a few seconds later with an old gramophone and a recorder. "Ah here comes my love" exclaimed Sirius getting up to hug and kiss her on the cheek. "How I missed you my flower."

"Don't call me 'flower', you old dog!"

"James does!" he argued

"He does" she nodded with a smile towards her husband. Leaving the pouting baby behind, as she moved to greet her friend. James snickered silently and kissed her wife passionately while their friends gagged. The addition of two more sounds alerted the Potter's of their guests. The Longbottoms' greeted the Potters' as they questioned them just to be sure.

"Alice!" Lily gushed, hugging Mrs Longbottom "Congratulations!" the others followed with the wishes.

James pulled Lily in his lap as he retook his seat as the other two couples followed suit. The girls snuggled comfortably in their partner's lap.

"So, how is everything Prongs?" asked Frank, taking the offered cup of tea.

"Amazing!" he pulled his wife closer, "how about you two? How is it knowing that you are going to be a father?" The excitement and giddiness were barely hidden in his voice.

"Amazing" answered Sirius kissing Marlene softly, "to know that there is a life being formed inside your partner, and to know that that life originated from you, is wonderful." The rest nodded in agreement.

"I know that feeling. It is such a beautiful hope for the future. I have just got to know a day before and there are so many plans that I have already made. We still do not know if it will be a girl or a boy but, I have all those plans. A happy future, free of war. I don't even know how am I planning all this. The war outside is getting more brutal, more agonizing but I have this hope." Frank said with a sigh.

"There are fears too," Sirius held his fiancee closer, "I am afraid to go out. To let her out. We even do not want to do our nuptials right now, because who knows what my crazy family will do. I am afraid, even in that perfectly warded house." Marlene cupped his face and kissed him softly. The others sat quietly, knowing how genuine those fears were. They could offer no words because they would be empty promises and assurances. The world around was in a frenzy. No one knew when or how will the war end.

The forces of Voldemort were gaining strength daily. There were murders, rapes, shops were being burned down. The entirety of the towns was being reduced to nothingness. James hugged his wife closer and buried his face in her hair. The others sat with grim expressions, trying to draw strength from each other.

"I know it is bad. Hell, it is worse than ever. Nothing is safe and every one of us is suffering. Friends, families, businesses. I know it looks like it would just get worse. But there is hope. I know there is. Sure, it is an uphill battle but we will get through it. For ourselves and the three lives that are on their way."

"Three?"

Lily chuckled and rested her head on his shoulder, "James and I are also expecting a baby."

"Really?" asked Sirius. The couple nodded as the smiles reappeared on every face in the room. They cheered and congratulated each other.

"Oh this is going to be wonderful!" exclaimed Sirius, "the second generation of the marauders is on their way." The men grinned at each other while the women shook their heads in exasperation as they discussed the pranks to teach or about Quidditch before thinking to teach the children to walk!

They decided on how to inform the remaining friends or how to hide it for a few months from order. As they continued to talk and cherish the news, the night descended into a beautiful stainless night. There was another attack miles away. There were lives snatched by the mindless slaves of a power-hungry demon, but in the walls of the manor, three couples enjoyed the night in the company of their closest friends, with the happiest news to celebrate.

How long till the war reached beyond those walls?

Lily walked into her room to see James ready for bed, silently reading a book as he waited for her. "Hey," he said as he noticed her, patting the space beside him.

Lily smiled at him and crawled up the bed to snuggle next to him.

She buried her head on the side of his chest as he wrapped an arm around her and kissed her head. He was such a gentleman. The way he cared for her, held her, or even talked about her was always filled with utmost love and respect. She was truly lucky to marry him. She had been pinning on him for long though she would never admit to that. She had tried telling herself that it was mere infatuation, she had scolded herself for liking a prat but could not help herself from falling for him. And she was so grateful for it. She loved him so much.

"Fine, love?" He asked in concern. Lily smiled in response and kissed his chest, just above his heart. "Fine, handsome. I just- I love you so much, James and this baby. I love this child from the moment I knew I was pregnant. You both are my life. And it scares me, Jamie. We haven't had a very blissful life. Our world is at war. People are dying daily and those demons are gaining power. What will we do James? How will we protect this baby? How can we be so sure that nothing bad will happen? I look over my shoulder continuously outside the walls of this manor. We cannot lock ourselves in here indefinitely. You have a job. I am studying for my mastery. And the order too. I am scared something will happen to our family. We have so lost many already. I am worried about Sirius. His mad cousin is just looking for a chance. How will we survive all this?"

James kept his book aside and wrapped the other arm around her too. "I know what you mean, Flower. I don't know how, but I know we will get through this."

"Unscathed? Jamie I don't want to lose anyone anymore. I don't want to put our baby in danger. I don't want you in danger."

"We will survive. Our family will get through this, I hope unscathed. I promise I'll do anything to make sure that we survive. Our baby is safe. But tell me Lily can you sit here doing nothing while people die out daily out there.

A sob escaped her mouth as the tears spilt from her eyes. She shook her head. Sitting back and hoping for someone to solve the problem was not an option. It was a bigger threat. They already were targets. " I understand, Jamie, I am just so scared. My family is my whole world. I love you all so much"

"I love my Lily Mary. We will make the best out of this situation. We will enjoy every moment of this beautiful journey and take all possible steps to make sure that this baby survives, even if we don't." He shook with silent tears. His fears trying to break loose.

"Sleep my love, you need rest" he whispered as he kissed her.

"I need you" she mumbled looking directly at his eyes.

James rolled her over, eyes not looking away from hers. "I love so much my flower," he told her with all sincerity.

"Show me" she whispered before crashing her lips against his, surrendering herself to his ministrations.

James was pacing the length of his room as Andromeda checked Lily. He was nervous but had no idea about what. He had been barely able to sleep the whole night, even when Lily slept peacefully in his arms. The feel of her skin against his kept him calm enough to stay beside her. He had repeated the conversation of the last night a hundred times in his mind. The news of the werewolf attack on Glasgow had made him more agitated. The wizengamot was currently in a meeting and he somehow knew that the decision would put his friend in further danger.

The other place attacked was Bristol, too close to the Pristine Hall. It likely was an attack at the Longbottom's but had failed and thus the nearby town was burnt to the ground. But Dumbledore assured that it was a mere coincidence and to keep it quiet to not let the spy know of their location. The best thing about ancestral houses was that they were well protected and unplotable. Even the guests didn't know the proper location, just the general idea. But it was still enough reason for the young couple to worry.

The auror raids were on an increase and they had gotten the permit to use unforgivable curses if necessary. The order was no longer to just stun and capture. The death eaters numbers needed to be reduced and fast. The order was not happy with this decision of the ministry. Specifically the leader, Albus Dumbledore. He believed too much in second chances. He wasn't wrong too. Life was so precious to be taken but what needed to be done was to be done. Aurors were mostly happy with the decision. James had received a memo that morning, informing him that he was the new team leader of Group III, he wasn't that excited but was confident to lead. He had the best people he knew in his group, Remus, Sirius, Rufus, Amelia, Emmeline, and Frank. Alice had resigned that morning on orders from Dowgar of Longbottom clan. Frank may not express it but was for the first time thankful for his mother's persistence. He didn't think Alice was weak or could not carry out missions successfully but he would not have been able to concentrate on himself with his wife and child in danger. James had to agree with him. He shuddered to think of the conversation, had he been in his friend's place but at the same time could understand the worry.

"Congratulations Lily," the voice of Andy broke through his thoughts. "Everything looks fine. You are already six weeks along and the baby is healthy. You are due at the end of July or the beginning of August. I'll leave for you a few nutrient potions, as well as a few for morning sickness and rest, which are all great." She beamed.

Lily looked at James with a smile as he moved towards her side and kissed her gently. "Thank you, Andy, both for coming here instantly and checking on her. When should we check with you next? And is there anything I need to take care of?"

"It was my pleasure. Congratulations to both. I am so happy for the two of you. You do not need to check with me unless you feel something isn't right. Do not fear to check with me whenever you want, however, I would come to check on you, next month." She smiled. "James, just don't give her any shock with your crazy ideas or pranks. Just love her and take care of her a little more than you usually do."

"Definitely," he said scooping her up into his lap. Andromeda smiled at the couple and exchanged greetings before leaving the two, showing herself out. The love birds hardly waited for her to leave before kissing each other passionately. Their baby was healthy and growing. They would be parents soon. The thoughts were too overwhelming for the two as they relished in each other's love.