THREE WEEKS LATER
~*~
Rhia sighed to herself as she hung laundry to dry on the roof of her building, wondering why she was doing so when it would be easier to dry it with a quick wave of her wand. Simple, her conscience told her. She wanted to be here to see Him again. Rhia had felt extremely guilty for the last three weeks since she had met- and kissed- the handsome blond stranger on the roof. Guilty for consorting with him, guilty for kissing him, guilt for not thinking of Remus. Not that she didn't love Remus, quite the contrary! It was just...she wasn't sure if they were going anywhere. She wasn't even sure why she and the nameless stranger had kissed, it had just...happened. It had been his eyes, the strange bright-shining gold colour of a full moon that had captivated her. And now she was here again, knowing that she had come here to find him.
"Hello, miss." Rhia turned around and, sure enough, there he was, the mysterious stranger with the golden eyes.
"Hello." She said in turn, putting down the slip she had been holding.
"Forgive me, I didn't mean to intrude." He said, and with a curt nod of his head, turned to leave.
"No, please!" Rhia called to him. "Don't go, please...I'd like to talk to you."
The stranger stopped and turned about, facing her with a small smile on his face.
"What about, miss?" he replied.
"What's your name?" she asked quietly. Part of her wanted desperately to know, and to know more about him, but the rest of her said to stop immediately and go back downstairs to her flat where Remus would be coming home soon.
"My name?" The stranger cocked one blond eyebrow. "You may call me Simeon."
"Simeon." Rhia said, and smiled, pushing down her conscience and sitting at his side.
~*~
"James!" Lily called from her position on the sofa. She had been stuck there for nearly a week, and it had been extremely boring since then.
"What is it, love?" James said breathlessly as he came into the room, clutching a pile of cushions.
"When is Dumbledore arriving?" She asked. The Potters' meeting with Dumbledore concerning Lily's health was to take place that day, and Lily was anxiously awaiting it. James glanced at his watch. Two twenty-eight.
"Any moment now." He assured her, putting two of his cushions behind his wife's head and two under her feet.
"James..." Lily trailed off, lost in her own horrible thoughts.
"What, Lil?" he asked, adjusting the afghan over her legs.
"What if...what if something's wrong with the baby?" She looked up at him with tearful eyes.
"Lily, don't even think things like that." James said forcefully, putting one hand on her stomach. "He'll be fine." Lily smiled slightly, putting her hand over his and overlooking the fact that James had once again insisted the baby was a boy.
"Forgive me for intruding."
Both looked over their shoulders to where Dumbledore stood, having arrived a few moments before with a soft stirring of air.
"No intrusion at all, Professor." James replied, standing up and offering Dumbledore a palm.
"Afternoon, James." Dumbledore shook James's hand and placed on of his own on Lily's shoulder. "Mrs. Potter."
"Would you care for some tea, Professor?" Lily asked, struggling to get up.
"Yes, thank you." Dumbledore nodded and twiddled his wand around, spinning it in the air until a silver tea service materialized and settled on the table. Lily sighed and surrendered trying to get up, settling for a sitting position. "How do you take your tea, Lily?"
"None, thank you." Lily said, resting her hands on her bulge as James took a cup with two sugar cubes.
"It has been brought to my attention that you called me here to discuss the matter of your child." Dumbledore said, stirring his cup before lifting it to his lips.
"Yes," James nodded, "that we did. You see, before Lily was pregnant, she was...well..."
"Clumsy." Lily offered. "And exceedingly so, Professor. But since then, I haven't broken a thing or tripped or even gotten sick."
"Interesting." Dumbledore murmured softly, thinking over what a young so- called Seer had said to him last night. "Is this the only unusual happenings?"
"Yes." James nodded. "But what we're worried about is the baby. Is anything wrong with him?"
"James," Lily said tersely.
"Sorry...it." James corrected himself. "Is anything wrong with it?"
"No, James." Dumbledore shook his head. "I have no reason to believe that anything is wrong with your wife or son." Both Potters smiled hugely.
"Nothing's wrong with my son." James said softly.
"James!" Lily exclaimed. "No one knows if it's a boy!"
"Even Dumbledore says so, Lily!" James retorted.
"Yes, but...oh!" Lily cut off her sentence with a great cry of pain
"Lil?" James furrowed his eyebrows in worry as she hunched over, one hand on the arm of the sofa and the other on her bulging stomach. "Lily, what is it? Are you sick?"
"N-no," She managed to mutter through gritted teeth, then gave a excruciating wail followed by, "Bloody Merlin!"
"James, she's going to have the baby." Dumbledore said gently. "It's time to call the Midwitch."
"What?" James exclaimed. "Are you sure?"
"Quite sure, I'm afraid," Dumbledore replied, smiling. "Now get along and call the Midwitch while I bring Lily to the bedroom." James nodded, a smile slowly creeping up on him. He ran to the fireplace, grabbed some Flu powder, and stuck his head in.
"Midwitch Allegra White," he called. Soon enough he was looking into the living room of an elderly witch. She was just about to walk through a doorway across the room. "Ms. White, it's James Potter," he called. "My wife's going into labor, it's time!" She turned to him, waving her wand at a nearby cabinet, which her medical bag flew out of.
"Well, get out of the way, Mr. Potter, unless you wish to deliver this baby yourself!" James jumped back and Allegra almost flew through the fireplace. "Which way?" she asked briskly. James pointed towards the bedroom, and she disappeared. Seconds later, he heard a cry of anguish from the room and Allegra's soothing voice, telling Lily it would be all right. James turned back to the fire.
"Blackwood Flats, apartment 4b." Next second, Sirius was peering curiously into the fire.
"What's up, James?" he asked cheerfully. He could just make out Annie waving in the background.
"Lily just went into labor, guys! Get over here, quick!" He heard Annie squeal. "And hurry up, because I still have to tell Remus and Rhia, Peter, and the Evan's!"
* * *
"Rhia!" Remus called into the kitchen. He had just heard from James, and was about to jump through the fire when he realized he hadn't seen Rhiannon in about two hours. Rushing into the bedroom, he saw it was empty and called out her name again. "Where are earth did she disappear to?" he wondered. Just then, he spotted the open window outside the fire escape.
"Ah, the roof," he smiled. Of course, she mentioned something about laundry... but surely it doesn't take her two hours to hang the wash?
Remus puffed as he climbed the slippery rungs of the last ladder. The ground was a long way below... but if Rhia can do it with a basket of laundry, I can do it fine, he thought. Pulling himself up to sit on the edge, he looked around and was about to call out her name when a certain brunette's laugh caught his ears. He spotted Rhia over by the clothesline, chatting with some handsome stranger, one who looked somewhat familiar. Probably just another tenant, he thought, and stood up. Now that he was standing, however, he had a better view of the situation. He could see quite well the charming smile on the stranger's face, the close proximity in which they were sitting, the way his hand slowly inched along to meet hers...
All at once, Remus felt his stomach plummet as the man leaned forward and caught Rhia's lips with his own. He felt undeniable rage towards this man, until he realized Rhia was not pushing him away. It took all Remus' strength not to fall to his knees. It felt as if his world had imploded; it felt as if his heart had been torn into a million indistinguishable pieces. All he could see was Rhia, kissing some man on their rooftop. He had gone deaf; the birds were no longer singing, the music from the downstairs neighbor's exercise tape was no longer blaring, the car horns weren't heard among the mass of nothing Remus held in his mind. All he could grasp was that Rhia, his Rhia, his one love, was in the arms of another man.
It felt like a lifetime before Rhia pulled away. Trying to compose himself as best he could, Remus took a step and called out.
"Rhiannon!" He had meant to cover up the pain he felt, and his voice came out jagged and harsh - not at all like his own. Rhia turned around quickly, her cheeks reddening, but her face gave no sign that she thought Remus had seen them kiss. She jumped up, waved goodbye to the stranger, and hurried over to Remus.
"Darling, there you are!" she smiled. How dare you call me darling! he thought, but found himself saying instead, "Rhia, we've got to go. Lily's just gone into labor."
What? Lily in labor? Ah yes, that was why he'd come up here in the first place. It all came rushing back, but the joy of James becoming a father did nothing to mask or mend the horror his heart was enduring.
"Oh, my!" Rhia's eyes widened and her blush faded away as she jumped to her feet, tugging Remus behind her as she ran back to the fireplace and hopped through, landing in Godric's Hollow.
"There you are!" Sirius was the first to greet her. "We were wondering what took you so long."
"I...I was doing the laundry." Rhia stuttered as Remus flooed in behind her.
"How is she doing?" Remus asked, looking around towards the stairs that lead to the upstairs bedrooms, where Lily presumably was.
"All is going well, Mr. Lupin." Dumbledore's voice echoed as he came down those steps. "Make yourselves comfortable, this will take some time."
"Do you know how long?" asked Annie.
"Six hours, by my guess." Dumbledore replied, and the others exchanged anxious looks.
Two hours later, Peter stopped by on his way home from work.
Two hours after that, Peter left.
An hour after that, Rhia and Mrs. Evans made the fourth pot of tea.
And after a grand total of seven hours, around ten o'clock that night, James came downstairs, looking weary and browbeaten. Everyone stood as he entered.
"Well?" Sirius asked anxiously.
"Nothing." He sighed, pouring himself a cup of tea. "It's taking forever and the midwitch kicked me out."
"Why?" Mrs. Evans asked. "Is anything the matter?"
"Dunno." James shrugged and slumped onto the couch. "She called in some consultants and they jabbered away in some strange jargon that I didn't understand."
"She'll be fine." Dumbledore said reassuringly. "Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to take a nap in the study."
He bowed and shuffled out.
More than an hour later, Remus had retreated alone to the garden and both the Evans, Rhia, and Annie had fallen asleep, the Evans against each other's shoulders, Rhia in the armchair by the window, and Annie in Sirius's lap.
"Are you nervous?" Sirius asked James, looking up at his best friend.
"Terribly." James muttered, beginning to pace. "It's eleven forty, what in Merlin's name is taking them so long?"
"Babies take time, James." Sirius said, for once the voice of reason. "I remember when my sister Aurie was born, she took about twenty hours."
"Twenty...!" James leaned against the wall and Sirius smiled lightly.
"You don't understand how it feels, Pads." James said. "I'm scared that it'll hate me and I won't be a good father and that it'll be a Squib and it won't be good at Quidditch and-"
"Quidditch?" Sirius guffawed. "You're worried about it playing Quidditch?"
"I'm worried about everything!" James cried. "Just wait until you're a father, Sirius Malachi. Wait until then, you'll see."
Sirius grinned.
"Me, a father?" he repeated, stroking Annie's head fondly and making a memo to bring up the subject sometime soon.
"Well, you are going to be this one's godfather." James jabbed a finger towards the stairs. "That is, if it comes out anytime soo-"
James's words were pierced by a small wail. He looked up at the stairs with a mixture of wonder, shock, anxiety, and extreme happiness on his face as the midwitch's head appeared at the top.
"Mr. Potter," she called, "come and visit your son."
"Son?" he croaked. Sirius smiled and clapped him on the back. "I have a son... oh my good Merlin, I have a son!" He turned to Sirius, the grin spreading easily from ear to ear. "Imagine Lily's face when I tell her "I told you so"!" James jumped up and dashed up the stairs two at a time, all the while singing "I have a son!" Sirius chuckled after him. Â "Rhia!" he called softly. "Annie, sweetheart. Wake up! There's a new addition to the Potter family I think they want you to meet... and I think we might have to give Papa Potter here a sedative."
Upstairs, James had thrown open the door to the bedroom, savoring the moment when he first laid eyes on the scene before him.
Lily was in the bed, looking extremely tired but extremely pleased as she gazed upon the small bassinet next to her.
"Lily," James breathed, unable to move from his spot in the doorway.
"You were right, James." Lily said softly. "We have a little boy."
"A little boy." James stepped cautiously towards the bassinet and leaned over it, staring in awe at the small black-haired boy inside.
"You can touch him, James, he won't break." Lily encouraged. James reddened slightly but put his hands into the bassinet and pulled out the sleeping child and holding him gently as if he were made of porcelain.
"He's so little." James breathed as he watched the little boy flex his miniscule fingers and toes.
"He's a baby, babies are little." Lily reminded him.
"Have you picked out a name yet?" Mrs. White asked, holding a piece of parchment, the birth certificate, in front of her.
"No, we haven't." Lily shook her head.
"What about James Malcolm Potter, the second?" James suggested with a grin.
"Oh, James, a junior?" Lily wrinkled her nose. "I don't know, what would we call him?"
"Little James or Jim or Malcolm or-"
"Or we could pick a new name," Lily interrupted.
"Like what?" asked James.
"Harry." She suggested.
"Harry," James repeated, then said hopefully, "Harry James?"
"Harry James Potter." Lily nodded.
"Harry James Potter, born July 31, 12:06 A.M." Mrs. White said with satisfaction.
~*~
THREE MONTHS LATER
~*~
"James!" Lily shouted up the stairs. "Come down, everyone's coming for tea and they'll be here any minute!"
"I'm here, I'm here." James mumbled as he came downstairs, holding Harry on his hip.
"What did you put on him?" Lily cried, stealing the small boy away from her husband and holding him close.
"It's a Quidditch sweater." James said as if that was obvious.
"It's much too big." She scolded. "And where are his socks?"
"Got 'em right here." James fished them out of his pocket. Lily grabbed them and put them on Harry's tiny feet.
"Go set up the cakes, I'll change his shirt." She ordered and walked upstairs.
"It looks fine, Lil!" James shouted at her back just as someone came through the fireplace.
"What looks fine?" Remus asked, brushing soot from his shoulders.
"Harry's sweater." James replied. "Where's Rhia?"
"She...she had to stay behind. You know, work." Remus replied. "I dunno, maybe she..."
"What is it?" said James, seeing the worry spread over his friend's face.
"James, it's complicated." Remus shook his head.
"Do you want to talk about it?" James asked.
"It's just...Rhia's been distant for a long time." He explained. "For four months, we haven't really talked or been together or...intimate. And I think..."
"What?"
"I think she's with someone else."
James felt his jaw drop just as Sirius's flying motorbike was heard outside and Lily came back downstairs with Harry.
"Remus!" she cried, giving Harry to James and hugging their friend tightly.
"Hi, Lil." Remus said half-heartedly.
"How are you feeling?" she asked jovially as she led him towards the sofa, levitating the tea service behind them. "The full moon wasn't too long ago, was it?"
"No, only a few days." He replied. "But I'm fine, just fine."
"Where's Rhia?" Lily looked about expectantly for her friend.
"She had to work." He lied, giving James a look that forced him to keep his mouth shut.
"Afternoon, all!" Sirius cried as he burst inside, Annie close behind.
"Sirius, did you fly that bike all the way here?" Lily asked, peeking out the window at the giant motorcycle outside.
"Of course." Sirius grinned. "I thought we could take Harry for a spin on it."
"No!" she cried nervously, and James laughed.
"She still can't tell when you're joking, Padfoot." He told Sirius with a grin. Lily scowled and slapped both James and Sirius's shoulders.
"Ow!" Sirius winced.
"You deserve it, Sirius." She muttered.
"Calm down, Lil, I'd never harm a hair on my godson's head." He replied, taking the small boy from James and tossing him into the air, much to Lily's dismay.
"Honestly, Lily, if you keep going like this, the poor thing will never have any fun!" Annie admonished as Lily began to pour the tea.
"But he'll be alive!" She cried, glaring at Sirius.
"He's just fine," Sirius retorted, "aren't you, Harry?"
Harry laughed and clapped his hands.
"Oh!" Annie exclaimed, pointing at the tea set, where a few of the cups were levitating about two feet off the table.
"Not again," James muttered and grabbed the cups, placing them back on the table before turning to his son. "No, Harry, that isn't funny."
Harry laughed again, his bright green eyes sparkling.
"How long has he been doing magic?" Remus asked.
"Only two weeks." James replied. "He's levitated things about three times."
"At least it wasn't the vase this time." Lily muttered thankfully.
~*~
"Rhia, I'm home." Remus called half-heartedly, somewhat expecting her to be tossing about in bed with the blond stranger. He put his cloak on it's hook and slipped off his shoes, wondering whether or not he should check the bedroom for her.
"Remus, there you are." Rhia said, wiping her hands on a dishrag as she came out of the kitchen. "I was doing the dishes."
"So you finished your work?" he asked, sitting on the couch.
"Oh...yes, I finished." She said quickly...a little too quickly, Remus observed.
"What else did you do?" he said casually. Rhia shrugged.
"Not much. You know, work. And some cleaning." She replied. "That was about it."
"Or maybe I should ask who you did." Remus muttered under his breath.
"Pardon?" said Rhia.
"Nothing." He shook his head. "It doesn't matter."
"Are you mad about something?" she asked.
"What do I have to be mad about?" Remus raised his eyebrows.
"I don't know." Rhia replied, her mind racing with thoughts. He couldn't know about Simeon, could he? She had only gone to see him for an hour while Remus was gone. Of course, being with Simeon at all while she was still with Remus was immoral, but something inside of her seemed to heal when she was with the tall, blond, golden-eyed man, something that always seemed broken when she was around Remus, who never seemed to have time for her anymore.
"Then I don't know if I'm mad." He answered, standing up and stalking into the bedroom, leaving Rhia alone.
She stood in the middle of the room, debating whether she should follow him or merely stay put. After a few moments of indecision, she went to the only place where she knew her mind would be clear: the rooftop.
She wasn't exactly hoping Simeon would be there, but neither did she believe he wouldn't be. It seemed that every time Rhia needed to get away, she would go up to the roof and he would be there, standing at the edge. His hands crossed behind his back, staring out into oblivion... almost waiting for her to appear again.
Once again, she wasn't let down. As her eyes peered over the edge, he stood there, silhouetted by the setting sun. She smiled, her breath almost catching in her throat. He really did look like an angel.
"Simeon," she called softly, not wanting to disturb him. He turned, grinning the charming smile that made her knees weak.
"Rhiannon, you're back." Every time he said it as if he believed she would never return; she could almost taste the anxiety of betrayal.
"Of course," she replied, walking over to him. He motioned for her to sit on the sofa they had magicked up here a few rendezvous' ago. She sat close to him, and he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer. She bit back a gasp. A picture of Remus flashed before her eyes.
"I've missed you," he whispered into her hair. She sighed and leaned back. You see? This is what her relationship with Remus was missing! The passion, the desperation, the fire! "I was waiting."
"You're always waiting, Simeon."
"Is that bad?"
"I don't think so."
"He does." Rhia gave a start. Simeon had never acknowledged Remus before.
"He?"
"Your lover."
Rhia sighed. "Remus."
"Yes, him. Does he know you come up here?"
"No, of course not. I could never let him know that we meet like this. It would kill him." She spoke these words slowly, as if they were just sinking in. It would kill him. Oh god, what was she doing?
"Why do you continue to meet me then?" he asked.
"Because... because I have to. As much as I lo - care about Remus," she said, choosing her words carefully, "our relationship feels empty. We're always fighting, he's so distant... there's no passion anymore. It's going nowhere. That's why I continue to see you, Simeon. I need this. I need you." Simeon leaned down and kissed her then, more passionately than he ever had before. She received him entirely, not really knowing why, only hearing the truth in her words. She needed this.
"You need me? You've got me," he whispered to her. The rest, as they say, is history.
* * *
"Sirius, have you seen my briefcase?" Annie called from the bedroom. "I've got to take those signed papers into work before I leave for Christmas break or Mr. Atheron will slaughter me!" Sirius walked in, laughing.
"Annie, love, you brought those papers in yesterday morning. Are you okay? Your brain has been so scattered lately!"
"I know," she replied, opening her arms. Sirius embraced her, smoothing down her frazzled hair. "I'm a bit preoccupied lately. Can we sit? I need to talk to you."
"Of course doll." He led her to the bed, gathering her in his arms as they leaned back against the large, fluffy pillows. Annie had insisted on redecorating Sirius' flat after the engagement.
"Honey, I want a baby." She figured the best way to start discussing it would be flat out bluntness.
Sirius didn't even skip a beat. "Okay." Annie twisted to face him.
"What? Really?"
"Sure. I want to, you want to, why not? We will be married soon, after all."
"Well, we haven't even set a date yet! Wouldn't a baby out of wedlock be sort of... unconventional?"
Sirius chuckled. "Since when have I ever stuck to conventionality? And I thought the baby was your idea, why are you arguing with me?"
"Devil's advocate," Annie shrugged. "I just wasn't expecting to you just up and agree right away. I had a whole defense planned!"
"Really?" Sirius grinned. "I'm all ears."
"Well... okay, I lied. I was just going to cry and whine until you said yes."
"That would have worked too. You know I can't stand to see you cry."
"That's why I thought of it."
Sirius laughed again, and Annie snuggled closer to him. Sirius was the sweetest man in the world. How had she ever caught and tamed such a beast?
"What are you thinking about?" he asked after a moment.
"How I got so lucky," she replied warmly, stroking the arm wrapped possessively across her chest.
"Maybe the same way I did."
She twisted once again to look into his eyes. "I love you, you know. And I think starting a family with you might just make all my dreams come true."
Sirius leaned over her, a spark in his eye. "Wanna start trying now?"
~*~
APPROX. THREE MONTHS LATER
~*~
Godric's Hollow was an absolute Winter Wonderland on Christmas Eve. Garlands of holly twisted about everywhere, three stockings labeled 'James', 'Lily', and 'Harry' were hung on the mantle, and a tall evergreen (bewitched to have continuous snow falling on it) stood magnificently in the living room.
"Did you do that yourself?" Remus asked at their Christmas party that night, gesturing to the tree and it's snow.
"After that detention with Flitwick putting up decorations in sixth year, I figured out how." James replied, handing out small glasses of brandy to his fellow Marauders.
"It's much better than our tree." Sirius said, taking a long draught. "Annie insisted on some scrawny Charlie Brown one."
"And you caved." Peter teased.
"At least I'm getting some, Wormtail." Sirius taunted.
"Stop that, you two." Lily admonished, walking by with Harry on her hip. "It's Christmas Eve, isn't this a time for 'goodwill towards men'?"
"Blah, blah." Peter rolled his eyes as she walked off.
"So, what is Father Christmas getting little Harry this holiday?" Remus asked, settling himself by the fire.
"Clothes, most likely." James replied. "Lily- excuse me- Mother Christmas got most of his presents, and that's the most useful thing to get him. Of course, Father Christmas insisted on getting a miniature Polaris 260."
"And what did Mother Christmas think of this?" asked Peter.
"Said it was impractical." He scoffed. "That a baby doesn't need a broom, especially when he only just learned to hold up his own head."
"That's true." Remus smiled.
"Remus, is Rhia still insisted on setting out cookies for Father Christmas?" Sirius asked. Remus's smile quickly melted away.
"Dunno." He said simply, looking across the room to where Rhia and Annie were tickling Harry's feet and kissing his hands.
"Everyone fawns over my son." James said proudly.
"Well, he isn't an ugly baby, he probably got his looks from his mother's side of the family." Peter replied and was promptly smacked over the head by James.
"Speaking of babies," Sirius said softly, a shiver of excitement in his voice, "I've been pondering this thought..."
"What kind of thought?" Remus asked warily.
"Remus, what would you think of being an uncle?" Sirius quickly mumbled.
"An uncle?!" Remus cried.
"Holy Hecate, look at the time." Sirius jumped to his feet. "We've got to be going, see you all tomorrow!"
He bolted across the room, grabbed Annie's hand, and hurried her out the door, leaving Remus to fume over his full brandy.
~*~
"Lovely party." Rhia said softly, trying to make some conversation later that night as she hung up her and Remus's stockings.
"Yes." Remus nodded. "Did you have fun?"
"Yes." She replied. "You?"
"Mmmhmm."
Silence filled the air and was only broken by the soft crackling of the fire.
"There, all finished."Rhia stood back to inspect her handiwork a few moments later.
"Everything's done?" he asked.
"The cookies are out, the stockings are up, yes." She nodded.
"Well, then...I'm going to bed." Remus stood and stretched, then said absent-mindedly, as if he had been thinking it and hadn't meant to say it aloud at all, "You can go up to the roof now."
"Pardon?" Rhia wrinkled her brow, trying her hardest to look confused.
Remus sighed. Best get it over with now, now that she knew he knew.
"I know what's going on, Rhia." He muttered. "You think I'm just some stupid fool who'll sit by and never notice a thing, but I do."
"I-I don't understand." She stuttered helplessly, trying hard to find an out of this situation. She did love Remus, honestly! She didn't want to hurt him...
"Of course you do!" he cried, his voice getting louder. "I saw him kiss you and I didn't see you reject him! I know you go up there all the time!"
"Remus-"
"What does he have that I don't?" he asked angrily. "Is he better than I am in some way? Just tell me!"
"Good Merlin, Remus!" Rhia exploded, feeling all the pain and secrets and hiding she had been doing for months pour out of her. "I wasn't getting anything from you! No love or comfort! Not even good conversation, what was I to do? He was there when I needed him!"
"So you don't need me anymore, then?" Remus's voice had grown soft and menacing. Rhia clenched her teeth before answering.
"No," She shook her head, staring at the ground. "I don't need you anymore, Remus Lupin."
"Fine, then it's over." Remus growled and turned sharply around, slamming the bedroom door behind him as he left.
"Remus!" she cried as she followed him into the bedroom. He was standing with his back to her, staring out the window.
"Get out," he growled.
"Not until we talk."
"We have nothing to talk about."
Rhia sighed and fell onto the bed. "I didn't mean for it to happen. I didn't want it to happen even, not in the beginning. The entire time, I was thinking of you and how I knew it would kill you if you found out... but part of me couldn't help it. I was lost, Remus. You have no idea."
He turned, and Rhia was shocked to see he looked tired and old, not at all sad or angry. "Give me an idea," he asked, but made no move to sit with her. She took a deep breath.
"Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to watch Sirius propose to Annie?" she asked.
"What does that have to do with this?" he snapped.
"A lot!" she snapped back. "Just answer me."
"No," he gave in, "I suppose I don't."
"I've had to endure so much, Remus. I've had to listen to you mother tell me how much she wants grandchildren, how much she loves me, how much she doesn't understand why we aren't going anywhere. I've had to stand aside while I watch my best friend, the womanizer, settle down, fall in love, and propose to his girl. I had to be there for Lily every step of the way while she was going through her pregnancy. Now, I don't regret any of it. I love your mother, I love Annie and Sirius together, and I love Lily and little Harry. But having to watch all this happen while I sit around and wonder why on earth it isn't happening to me is too hard for me to handle anymore! I love you with all of my heart, and all of my soul. You are the anchor that keeps me here, Remus. I don't know what I'd be doing or who I'd be if it weren't for you. I've been in love with you since I was 11 years old. You are a part of me. You are my life. But to watch it die in front of my eyes, well... I couldn't take it. For months I tried to find something wrong with me. You claim to love me, yet as all of our friends' lives went on, we stayed here in this zone where nothing changes. I want to marry you, Remus! I want to start a family! I want to spend the rest of my life knowing that I'm living it for you and with you. You weren't giving me that, not at all. What do you expect a girl to do?"
"Control herself," he replied quietly, not looking at her.
"Damnit, Remus!" she exploded. "How can I apologize? How can I make it up to you? I love you! I know I've hurt you, and it hurts me more than you will ever know! But I also know that we're supposed to be together. It's Fate, darling. What can I do to make you forgive me?"
Remus was quiet for a long time. She let him think. Give it time, she thought. He needs time.
"Leave."
"I'm sorry?"
Remus turned back towards the window. "I said, leave. Make it up to me by leaving, and don't you ever look back."
* * *
Rhia knocked on the door to their flat, not knowing how she would begin to speak. She swiped a hand at her freshly falling tears, sniffling a little. The door swung open.
"Rhia? What happened? Are you alright?" Rhia just shook her head, dropped her bags, and collapsed into Sirius' arms.
~*~
"I just don't understand why he'd do this to her." Sirius whispered to Annie as they tidied up the kitchen, watching Rhia sleep soundly on the sofa in the next room.
"Perhaps it has something to do with that fellow she kissed, the supposed Death Eater." She replied quietly.
"I thought we agreed you imagined that, love." He reminded her.
"No, I know what I saw!" She cried. "They were kissing. Maybe they've done more than that, it's been seven months since then. Maybe that's why they broke up."
"Or maybe they just had a fight." He suggested.
"Believe what you want, but I think it's because of that Death Eater fellow." She said.
"Don't you dare go asking her about it, Annabelle." Sirius chastised. "She's in enough pain as it is."
"Using my full name? Who do you think you are, my father?" Annie cocked one eyebrow coyly.
"If I was your father, I'd have to spank you." He murmured mischievously.
~*~
Rhia woke early the next morning to the smell of fresh coffee being made and the sound of pots clanging in the kitchen. It took a moment for her to realize where she was and what had gone on the previous night. Once she did remember, her heart fell and she buried her face into the couch she was on, feeling ashamed and hurt and completely, utterly lost.
"Rhia, are you up?" Sirius called from the kitchen. Rhia sighed and stood, walking into the room and sitting at the table.
"Morning." She said half-heartedly.
"Merry Christmas," he greeted. "How are you feeling?"
"Like crap." She muttered.
"That's to be expected." He answered. "Do you want some eggs?"
"Scrambled." She replied. "Where's Annie?"
"She isn't well." He said as he poured coffee into three mugs. "She didn't get much sleep last night and I guess it's taking it's toll now."
"Have you opened your presents yet?" she asked.
"Yeah, last night." He nodded, then leaned over to open the windows just in time for the mail owls to fly in.
"Anything interesting?" Annie asked, walking into the kitchen, looking pale and tired.
"Christmas cards...a reminder from Lily to come over tonight...a last- minute present from my uncle...probably money." He put the mail in a neat stack on the table. "Are you hungry, Annie?"
"No, I don't think my stomach can handle anything." Annie shook her head as two owls flew in, carrying a large package between then.
"Wonder what this could be?" Sirius pondered, poking the lumpy package with the spatula he held. Annie opened it carefully to reveal a large pile of brightly wrapped Christmas gifts.
"What are these?" Annie asked bewilderedly. "They're all addressed to Rhia."
"Me?" Rhia leaned forward and picked up some of the presents.
"Who are they from?" asked Sirius.
"I know who they're from." Rhia muttered. "Remus sent them."
"This one isn't addressed to you." Sirius held out a bright blue present.
"That's because it's my present to him." Rhia said quietly as someone knocked on the door.
"I'll get it." Annie offered, standing and leaving the room. Sirius and Rhia sat in silence for a few moments, Sirius feeling shocked and Rhia incredibly hurt until Annie returned from the door.
"Who is it?" Sirius asked.
"Erm...someone for Rhia." Annie replied, looking somewhat nervous.
"It's probably Remus deciding to yell at me some more." Rhia said bitterly as she left the kitchen and walked to the front door, opening it a little wider to see who stood in the hall.
"Hello, Rhia."
"Simeon," She said softly.
~*~
"Do you think we should call the police?"
"I don't know..." Sirius sighed. "Annie, there is a wanted Death Eater in our living room making tea-time chatter with Rhia!"
"You see? I told you I wasn't imagining it. There he is, sitting on our couch, drinking our tea, with our best friend!" Annie exclaimed in a whisper. Rhia had let Simeon in, conjured up a pot of tea, and they were now sitting on the couch talking quietly. Sirius and Annie, ever the curious snoopers, were carefully leaning around the door jam in the hallway, spying.
"Okay, okay! I admit it, you were right." Annie smiled. "And if I ever have to say that again, I may just well be sick."
"Honey, we're getting married. Get used to admitting you're wrong." She ordered and Sirius began to chuckle quietly, but abruptly stopped. "Love, what's wrong?" Annie asked. He just pointed, dropped jaw hanging wide open, to where Rhia had collapsed into the stranger's arms.
* * *
Rhia took a sip of tea, staring at Simeon over the rim of her teacup. They hadn't spoke much since she had met him at the front door. Just a simple greeting, a bit too casual for their... relationship. The term was much harder for Rhia to swallow now. "So... what brings you by?" she asked, trying to sound nonchalant. Simeon gave her a wry smile.
"I think you know, love," he replied. The once-endearing term now made Rhia go rigid.
"Simeon... I don't know what to tell you. I've had a bit of a falling out with... well, him... and I'm not sure of how I'm feeling right now." This was a blatant lie. She knew exactly what she was feeling - her head was screaming at her, enraged that she had ever made such a huge mistake; her stomach was on the verge of retching up her breakfast, or lack thereof, because she felt so nervous around him; and her heart was breaking all over again with her having to face the reason why she was no longer in the arms of her beloved.
"I can tell you how I'm feeling, though... Rhiannon, I'm desperate. Before I met you, I was never one for relationships. Without boring you with the details, I've never actually had a successful relationship, and I've definitely never been in love. It's almost been forbidden for me. But Rhia, if the times we have spent together have shown me one thing, its that I do love you. Very much, in fact. Its why I'm here now."
Rhia felt a lump rising in her throat. Her heart was being ripped in two. She desperately missed Remus, but Simeon was warming parts of her she thought had died last night. She needed him... she didn't need him... oh, bullocks, she needed something!
"Simeon, I... I..." Truthfully, Rhia didn't know what she was going to say. But suddenly, she didn't feel as if words were necessary. She just looked into Simeon's eyes and saw what she needed to see. She pitched herself forward and wrapped her arms around his chest. Simeon breathed in a sigh of relief.
* * *
Somewhere across the country, in secret...
* * *
"How is our contact doing on location?" a chilling voice asked.
"Ve-very well, my Lord," a second, quivering voice answered. "He has successfully broken apart O'Leary and Lupin. The Potters are sure to have heard by now."
"Any reason to believe that Simeon has grown, shall we say, attached to his mission?"
The second voice hesitated, just for a second. "No, sir." If the Dark Lord picked up on this hesitation, he made no verbal note of it.
"Wonderful." Voldemort paused. "You know, I am glad you came to me with your inside information. I was beginning to suspect a double agent was exactly what my plan needed. You came to me at exactly the right time. Remind me to personally thank Lucius."
"Yes, sir." He was shaking all over, and excessive talking was sure to let the master aware.
"First, you tell me how to weaken the Potters, two of my most formidable opponents, by attacking them on the inside. Breaking down their friends was a stroke of genius, and I don't admit genius to persons other than myself very often."
"Thank you greatly, My Lord."
"And then, when I thought you could rise no higher, you give me the information I have been needing beyond anything. The birth of a baby that fits the prophecy! And to whom does this innocent babe belong? To none other than the very rivals you have betrayed to aid me!"
He didn't like it when the Dark Lord spoke like that. It reminded him of the awful things he had done, to his friends, and family... to Rhia and Remus.
"We will need to begin surveillance on the child. Assign my best intelligence agents on it."
"Yes, sir."
Voldemort gave a sudden, bone-chilling laugh. "There is no need to be frightened. I will not harm you... today. You have done well, Wormtail."
"Thank you, sir."
~*~
"Everything seems to be falling apart." Lily whispered softly a few days after Christmas, sitting in front of the fire with James and Harry.
"It isn't." James assured her.
"It is, James." She retorted. "Rhia and Remus are through, and you know that it takes an awful lot to put them through the mill."
"He did see her with another fellow, Lily." James reminded her.
"Yes, I know." Lily leaned onto Harry's sweet-smelling head. "But it still seems awkward. She met him on a rooftop of all places."
"A bit mysterious, yes," he nodded.
"And the attacks have been increasing." She added. "There's one every day."
"Lily," James leaned forward to press a hand to her cheek, "you worry far too much. Dumbledore's working very hard against this dark uprising, and we're helping as much as we can, all right? Don't fret, or you'll work yourself into a tizzy."
"I won't." she replied adamantly as someone came sliding out of the fireplace, covered with soot.
"Padfoot, old boy, there you are." James greeted him.
"Look at you, Sirius, you're an absolute mess." Lily put Harry in his playpen before going over to help brush the ash from his shoulders and face.
"It's snowing too hard to use the bike, and we hardly ever use our fireplace." Sirius explained. "Where's my godson?"
"Aren't those usually the first words out of your mouth, Sirius?" James cocked an eyebrow as he handed his son over to him.
"Just trying to be a dutiful godfather, Prongsy." Sirius grinned.
"How's Annie?" Lily asked, still brushing soot from his black mane.
"Still sick." He replied. "She's only eating crackers."
"You'll take her some soup, then." Lily fussed.
"Have you heard from Remus?" asked James.
"No," he shook his head. "Annie and Mrs. Lupin tried to get him to leave the apartment, but he's too depressed, poor fellow. Rhia seems in between."
"What do you mean?" Lily furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.
"She feels bad for what happened, yes," Sirius explained, "but she seems perfectly satisfied with her new man."
"What's-his-name." James scowled.
"Simeon." Sirius corrected. "Well, James, are we going to visit Dumbledore or not?"
"We're going, we're going." James rolled his eyes and gave his wife and son a kiss. Sirius handed Harry back to Lily and kissed her cheek as well.
"Be back in time for supper, James!" Lily ordered as James took the Floo powder jar off the mantle.
"Yes, dear." James answered while Sirius stepped in and disappeared and he followed.
They landed in Dumbledore's office with a thump that didn't seem to startle the old man sitting behind the desk.
"Hello, James, Sirius." Dumbledore greeted.
"Professor." James smiled and shook hands with him, Sirius following suit.
"I'm afraid I haven't much time to talk, but here." Dumbledore held out two scrolls of parchment. "It's the complete list of those participating in the Order. I didn't want to owl them, in case they were intercepted."
James and Sirius nodded in understanding. They, along with a few others, had joined the Order of the Pheonix Dumbledore had established a few months ago, to aid him in his fight against Voldemort and the Death Eaters.
"Is that all, Professor?" Sirius asked.
"No, I've something to tell James." Dumbledore turned to the black-haired man. "We've gotten a lead on Henrickson. Inform the Aurors that he is a definite."
James nodded once again, and Sirius held back a snigger. Who would have thought that James Potter, Marauder and leader of pranks, would turn into an Auror?
"Headmaster, I-"
James and Sirius turned around to see someone entering Dumbledore's office.
"Snevellis." Sirius muttered under his breath and was quickly kicked in the shin by James.
"Thank you, gentlemen, that will be all." Dumbledore bowed his head towards them, asking their leave. James and Sirius shared looks before leaving through the fireplace.
"Severus, please have a seat." Dumbledore gestured to the over-stuffed chair across from his.
"No, thank you. There's something I must discuss with you, Headmaster." Severus said anxiously, and Dumbledore could see that he was in incredible distress.
"What is it?" Dumbledore sat back down in his own chair.
"I..." Severus faltered, staring at his left arm through his robes.
"You needn't be afraid, Severus." Dumbledore gestured with his hand.
"Headmaster, it's not that I'm afraid of telling you, but...afraid of your reaction." He murmured.
"Whatever it is you have to say, Severus, I assure you I will keep my composure."
Severus took a deep breath.
"Headmaster, I'm a Death Eater."
Dumbledore stared back placidly, as if he had announced what he planned to have for dinner instead of announcing the fact that he had helped kill and torture.
"Yes, for about a year now, is it?" Dumbledore murmured, his eyes a- twinkling.
"But...how did you know?" Severus cried. "I-"
"There are many who wish to help those who want to fight the good fight." Dumbledore said, his voice slow and drawling as if he were a sage of old. "They provide me with my information."
"So you knew." He said.
"Yes." He nodded. "And I also knew you were following Lucius Malfoy's lead and would come back to our side. Once you saw the error of your ways."
"Yes, well..." Severus bit his lip. "I believe I have."
"Then perhaps you can help us." Dumbledore leaned forward. "We've been looking for someone to willingly go amidst the Death Eaters and act spy for us. You mustn't be forced to, but if you are able, we would be very gratified if you would do this."
"Sir, I..." Severus sighed. Perhaps he would be able to save her! "If you think that this is a good idea, then yes."
"Very good." Dumbledore smiled. "Now, you seem to be troubled. What's the matter?"
Other than the fact that he was betraying those he once counted as friends? Other than he was putting his life at risk for a young woman that was unattainable? A young married woman with a baby?
"I have been with the Death Eaters for over a year now. And last night, I received an important piece of information."
"And what would that be?"
"The Dark Lord...sir, they're planning to kill the Potters."
Dumbledore leaned back at this and pinched the bridge of his nose under his glasses. "Some days, Severus, I fear I am getting too old for this."
Severus gasped, drolly stating, "You, Headmaster? Never!"
Dumbledore chuckled, but sat up straighter. "All joking aside, Severus, you've given me some information I have been fearing for a long time now... we need a plan."
~*~
Rhia sighed to herself as she hung laundry to dry on the roof of her building, wondering why she was doing so when it would be easier to dry it with a quick wave of her wand. Simple, her conscience told her. She wanted to be here to see Him again. Rhia had felt extremely guilty for the last three weeks since she had met- and kissed- the handsome blond stranger on the roof. Guilty for consorting with him, guilty for kissing him, guilt for not thinking of Remus. Not that she didn't love Remus, quite the contrary! It was just...she wasn't sure if they were going anywhere. She wasn't even sure why she and the nameless stranger had kissed, it had just...happened. It had been his eyes, the strange bright-shining gold colour of a full moon that had captivated her. And now she was here again, knowing that she had come here to find him.
"Hello, miss." Rhia turned around and, sure enough, there he was, the mysterious stranger with the golden eyes.
"Hello." She said in turn, putting down the slip she had been holding.
"Forgive me, I didn't mean to intrude." He said, and with a curt nod of his head, turned to leave.
"No, please!" Rhia called to him. "Don't go, please...I'd like to talk to you."
The stranger stopped and turned about, facing her with a small smile on his face.
"What about, miss?" he replied.
"What's your name?" she asked quietly. Part of her wanted desperately to know, and to know more about him, but the rest of her said to stop immediately and go back downstairs to her flat where Remus would be coming home soon.
"My name?" The stranger cocked one blond eyebrow. "You may call me Simeon."
"Simeon." Rhia said, and smiled, pushing down her conscience and sitting at his side.
~*~
"James!" Lily called from her position on the sofa. She had been stuck there for nearly a week, and it had been extremely boring since then.
"What is it, love?" James said breathlessly as he came into the room, clutching a pile of cushions.
"When is Dumbledore arriving?" She asked. The Potters' meeting with Dumbledore concerning Lily's health was to take place that day, and Lily was anxiously awaiting it. James glanced at his watch. Two twenty-eight.
"Any moment now." He assured her, putting two of his cushions behind his wife's head and two under her feet.
"James..." Lily trailed off, lost in her own horrible thoughts.
"What, Lil?" he asked, adjusting the afghan over her legs.
"What if...what if something's wrong with the baby?" She looked up at him with tearful eyes.
"Lily, don't even think things like that." James said forcefully, putting one hand on her stomach. "He'll be fine." Lily smiled slightly, putting her hand over his and overlooking the fact that James had once again insisted the baby was a boy.
"Forgive me for intruding."
Both looked over their shoulders to where Dumbledore stood, having arrived a few moments before with a soft stirring of air.
"No intrusion at all, Professor." James replied, standing up and offering Dumbledore a palm.
"Afternoon, James." Dumbledore shook James's hand and placed on of his own on Lily's shoulder. "Mrs. Potter."
"Would you care for some tea, Professor?" Lily asked, struggling to get up.
"Yes, thank you." Dumbledore nodded and twiddled his wand around, spinning it in the air until a silver tea service materialized and settled on the table. Lily sighed and surrendered trying to get up, settling for a sitting position. "How do you take your tea, Lily?"
"None, thank you." Lily said, resting her hands on her bulge as James took a cup with two sugar cubes.
"It has been brought to my attention that you called me here to discuss the matter of your child." Dumbledore said, stirring his cup before lifting it to his lips.
"Yes," James nodded, "that we did. You see, before Lily was pregnant, she was...well..."
"Clumsy." Lily offered. "And exceedingly so, Professor. But since then, I haven't broken a thing or tripped or even gotten sick."
"Interesting." Dumbledore murmured softly, thinking over what a young so- called Seer had said to him last night. "Is this the only unusual happenings?"
"Yes." James nodded. "But what we're worried about is the baby. Is anything wrong with him?"
"James," Lily said tersely.
"Sorry...it." James corrected himself. "Is anything wrong with it?"
"No, James." Dumbledore shook his head. "I have no reason to believe that anything is wrong with your wife or son." Both Potters smiled hugely.
"Nothing's wrong with my son." James said softly.
"James!" Lily exclaimed. "No one knows if it's a boy!"
"Even Dumbledore says so, Lily!" James retorted.
"Yes, but...oh!" Lily cut off her sentence with a great cry of pain
"Lil?" James furrowed his eyebrows in worry as she hunched over, one hand on the arm of the sofa and the other on her bulging stomach. "Lily, what is it? Are you sick?"
"N-no," She managed to mutter through gritted teeth, then gave a excruciating wail followed by, "Bloody Merlin!"
"James, she's going to have the baby." Dumbledore said gently. "It's time to call the Midwitch."
"What?" James exclaimed. "Are you sure?"
"Quite sure, I'm afraid," Dumbledore replied, smiling. "Now get along and call the Midwitch while I bring Lily to the bedroom." James nodded, a smile slowly creeping up on him. He ran to the fireplace, grabbed some Flu powder, and stuck his head in.
"Midwitch Allegra White," he called. Soon enough he was looking into the living room of an elderly witch. She was just about to walk through a doorway across the room. "Ms. White, it's James Potter," he called. "My wife's going into labor, it's time!" She turned to him, waving her wand at a nearby cabinet, which her medical bag flew out of.
"Well, get out of the way, Mr. Potter, unless you wish to deliver this baby yourself!" James jumped back and Allegra almost flew through the fireplace. "Which way?" she asked briskly. James pointed towards the bedroom, and she disappeared. Seconds later, he heard a cry of anguish from the room and Allegra's soothing voice, telling Lily it would be all right. James turned back to the fire.
"Blackwood Flats, apartment 4b." Next second, Sirius was peering curiously into the fire.
"What's up, James?" he asked cheerfully. He could just make out Annie waving in the background.
"Lily just went into labor, guys! Get over here, quick!" He heard Annie squeal. "And hurry up, because I still have to tell Remus and Rhia, Peter, and the Evan's!"
* * *
"Rhia!" Remus called into the kitchen. He had just heard from James, and was about to jump through the fire when he realized he hadn't seen Rhiannon in about two hours. Rushing into the bedroom, he saw it was empty and called out her name again. "Where are earth did she disappear to?" he wondered. Just then, he spotted the open window outside the fire escape.
"Ah, the roof," he smiled. Of course, she mentioned something about laundry... but surely it doesn't take her two hours to hang the wash?
Remus puffed as he climbed the slippery rungs of the last ladder. The ground was a long way below... but if Rhia can do it with a basket of laundry, I can do it fine, he thought. Pulling himself up to sit on the edge, he looked around and was about to call out her name when a certain brunette's laugh caught his ears. He spotted Rhia over by the clothesline, chatting with some handsome stranger, one who looked somewhat familiar. Probably just another tenant, he thought, and stood up. Now that he was standing, however, he had a better view of the situation. He could see quite well the charming smile on the stranger's face, the close proximity in which they were sitting, the way his hand slowly inched along to meet hers...
All at once, Remus felt his stomach plummet as the man leaned forward and caught Rhia's lips with his own. He felt undeniable rage towards this man, until he realized Rhia was not pushing him away. It took all Remus' strength not to fall to his knees. It felt as if his world had imploded; it felt as if his heart had been torn into a million indistinguishable pieces. All he could see was Rhia, kissing some man on their rooftop. He had gone deaf; the birds were no longer singing, the music from the downstairs neighbor's exercise tape was no longer blaring, the car horns weren't heard among the mass of nothing Remus held in his mind. All he could grasp was that Rhia, his Rhia, his one love, was in the arms of another man.
It felt like a lifetime before Rhia pulled away. Trying to compose himself as best he could, Remus took a step and called out.
"Rhiannon!" He had meant to cover up the pain he felt, and his voice came out jagged and harsh - not at all like his own. Rhia turned around quickly, her cheeks reddening, but her face gave no sign that she thought Remus had seen them kiss. She jumped up, waved goodbye to the stranger, and hurried over to Remus.
"Darling, there you are!" she smiled. How dare you call me darling! he thought, but found himself saying instead, "Rhia, we've got to go. Lily's just gone into labor."
What? Lily in labor? Ah yes, that was why he'd come up here in the first place. It all came rushing back, but the joy of James becoming a father did nothing to mask or mend the horror his heart was enduring.
"Oh, my!" Rhia's eyes widened and her blush faded away as she jumped to her feet, tugging Remus behind her as she ran back to the fireplace and hopped through, landing in Godric's Hollow.
"There you are!" Sirius was the first to greet her. "We were wondering what took you so long."
"I...I was doing the laundry." Rhia stuttered as Remus flooed in behind her.
"How is she doing?" Remus asked, looking around towards the stairs that lead to the upstairs bedrooms, where Lily presumably was.
"All is going well, Mr. Lupin." Dumbledore's voice echoed as he came down those steps. "Make yourselves comfortable, this will take some time."
"Do you know how long?" asked Annie.
"Six hours, by my guess." Dumbledore replied, and the others exchanged anxious looks.
Two hours later, Peter stopped by on his way home from work.
Two hours after that, Peter left.
An hour after that, Rhia and Mrs. Evans made the fourth pot of tea.
And after a grand total of seven hours, around ten o'clock that night, James came downstairs, looking weary and browbeaten. Everyone stood as he entered.
"Well?" Sirius asked anxiously.
"Nothing." He sighed, pouring himself a cup of tea. "It's taking forever and the midwitch kicked me out."
"Why?" Mrs. Evans asked. "Is anything the matter?"
"Dunno." James shrugged and slumped onto the couch. "She called in some consultants and they jabbered away in some strange jargon that I didn't understand."
"She'll be fine." Dumbledore said reassuringly. "Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to take a nap in the study."
He bowed and shuffled out.
More than an hour later, Remus had retreated alone to the garden and both the Evans, Rhia, and Annie had fallen asleep, the Evans against each other's shoulders, Rhia in the armchair by the window, and Annie in Sirius's lap.
"Are you nervous?" Sirius asked James, looking up at his best friend.
"Terribly." James muttered, beginning to pace. "It's eleven forty, what in Merlin's name is taking them so long?"
"Babies take time, James." Sirius said, for once the voice of reason. "I remember when my sister Aurie was born, she took about twenty hours."
"Twenty...!" James leaned against the wall and Sirius smiled lightly.
"You don't understand how it feels, Pads." James said. "I'm scared that it'll hate me and I won't be a good father and that it'll be a Squib and it won't be good at Quidditch and-"
"Quidditch?" Sirius guffawed. "You're worried about it playing Quidditch?"
"I'm worried about everything!" James cried. "Just wait until you're a father, Sirius Malachi. Wait until then, you'll see."
Sirius grinned.
"Me, a father?" he repeated, stroking Annie's head fondly and making a memo to bring up the subject sometime soon.
"Well, you are going to be this one's godfather." James jabbed a finger towards the stairs. "That is, if it comes out anytime soo-"
James's words were pierced by a small wail. He looked up at the stairs with a mixture of wonder, shock, anxiety, and extreme happiness on his face as the midwitch's head appeared at the top.
"Mr. Potter," she called, "come and visit your son."
"Son?" he croaked. Sirius smiled and clapped him on the back. "I have a son... oh my good Merlin, I have a son!" He turned to Sirius, the grin spreading easily from ear to ear. "Imagine Lily's face when I tell her "I told you so"!" James jumped up and dashed up the stairs two at a time, all the while singing "I have a son!" Sirius chuckled after him. Â "Rhia!" he called softly. "Annie, sweetheart. Wake up! There's a new addition to the Potter family I think they want you to meet... and I think we might have to give Papa Potter here a sedative."
Upstairs, James had thrown open the door to the bedroom, savoring the moment when he first laid eyes on the scene before him.
Lily was in the bed, looking extremely tired but extremely pleased as she gazed upon the small bassinet next to her.
"Lily," James breathed, unable to move from his spot in the doorway.
"You were right, James." Lily said softly. "We have a little boy."
"A little boy." James stepped cautiously towards the bassinet and leaned over it, staring in awe at the small black-haired boy inside.
"You can touch him, James, he won't break." Lily encouraged. James reddened slightly but put his hands into the bassinet and pulled out the sleeping child and holding him gently as if he were made of porcelain.
"He's so little." James breathed as he watched the little boy flex his miniscule fingers and toes.
"He's a baby, babies are little." Lily reminded him.
"Have you picked out a name yet?" Mrs. White asked, holding a piece of parchment, the birth certificate, in front of her.
"No, we haven't." Lily shook her head.
"What about James Malcolm Potter, the second?" James suggested with a grin.
"Oh, James, a junior?" Lily wrinkled her nose. "I don't know, what would we call him?"
"Little James or Jim or Malcolm or-"
"Or we could pick a new name," Lily interrupted.
"Like what?" asked James.
"Harry." She suggested.
"Harry," James repeated, then said hopefully, "Harry James?"
"Harry James Potter." Lily nodded.
"Harry James Potter, born July 31, 12:06 A.M." Mrs. White said with satisfaction.
~*~
THREE MONTHS LATER
~*~
"James!" Lily shouted up the stairs. "Come down, everyone's coming for tea and they'll be here any minute!"
"I'm here, I'm here." James mumbled as he came downstairs, holding Harry on his hip.
"What did you put on him?" Lily cried, stealing the small boy away from her husband and holding him close.
"It's a Quidditch sweater." James said as if that was obvious.
"It's much too big." She scolded. "And where are his socks?"
"Got 'em right here." James fished them out of his pocket. Lily grabbed them and put them on Harry's tiny feet.
"Go set up the cakes, I'll change his shirt." She ordered and walked upstairs.
"It looks fine, Lil!" James shouted at her back just as someone came through the fireplace.
"What looks fine?" Remus asked, brushing soot from his shoulders.
"Harry's sweater." James replied. "Where's Rhia?"
"She...she had to stay behind. You know, work." Remus replied. "I dunno, maybe she..."
"What is it?" said James, seeing the worry spread over his friend's face.
"James, it's complicated." Remus shook his head.
"Do you want to talk about it?" James asked.
"It's just...Rhia's been distant for a long time." He explained. "For four months, we haven't really talked or been together or...intimate. And I think..."
"What?"
"I think she's with someone else."
James felt his jaw drop just as Sirius's flying motorbike was heard outside and Lily came back downstairs with Harry.
"Remus!" she cried, giving Harry to James and hugging their friend tightly.
"Hi, Lil." Remus said half-heartedly.
"How are you feeling?" she asked jovially as she led him towards the sofa, levitating the tea service behind them. "The full moon wasn't too long ago, was it?"
"No, only a few days." He replied. "But I'm fine, just fine."
"Where's Rhia?" Lily looked about expectantly for her friend.
"She had to work." He lied, giving James a look that forced him to keep his mouth shut.
"Afternoon, all!" Sirius cried as he burst inside, Annie close behind.
"Sirius, did you fly that bike all the way here?" Lily asked, peeking out the window at the giant motorcycle outside.
"Of course." Sirius grinned. "I thought we could take Harry for a spin on it."
"No!" she cried nervously, and James laughed.
"She still can't tell when you're joking, Padfoot." He told Sirius with a grin. Lily scowled and slapped both James and Sirius's shoulders.
"Ow!" Sirius winced.
"You deserve it, Sirius." She muttered.
"Calm down, Lil, I'd never harm a hair on my godson's head." He replied, taking the small boy from James and tossing him into the air, much to Lily's dismay.
"Honestly, Lily, if you keep going like this, the poor thing will never have any fun!" Annie admonished as Lily began to pour the tea.
"But he'll be alive!" She cried, glaring at Sirius.
"He's just fine," Sirius retorted, "aren't you, Harry?"
Harry laughed and clapped his hands.
"Oh!" Annie exclaimed, pointing at the tea set, where a few of the cups were levitating about two feet off the table.
"Not again," James muttered and grabbed the cups, placing them back on the table before turning to his son. "No, Harry, that isn't funny."
Harry laughed again, his bright green eyes sparkling.
"How long has he been doing magic?" Remus asked.
"Only two weeks." James replied. "He's levitated things about three times."
"At least it wasn't the vase this time." Lily muttered thankfully.
~*~
"Rhia, I'm home." Remus called half-heartedly, somewhat expecting her to be tossing about in bed with the blond stranger. He put his cloak on it's hook and slipped off his shoes, wondering whether or not he should check the bedroom for her.
"Remus, there you are." Rhia said, wiping her hands on a dishrag as she came out of the kitchen. "I was doing the dishes."
"So you finished your work?" he asked, sitting on the couch.
"Oh...yes, I finished." She said quickly...a little too quickly, Remus observed.
"What else did you do?" he said casually. Rhia shrugged.
"Not much. You know, work. And some cleaning." She replied. "That was about it."
"Or maybe I should ask who you did." Remus muttered under his breath.
"Pardon?" said Rhia.
"Nothing." He shook his head. "It doesn't matter."
"Are you mad about something?" she asked.
"What do I have to be mad about?" Remus raised his eyebrows.
"I don't know." Rhia replied, her mind racing with thoughts. He couldn't know about Simeon, could he? She had only gone to see him for an hour while Remus was gone. Of course, being with Simeon at all while she was still with Remus was immoral, but something inside of her seemed to heal when she was with the tall, blond, golden-eyed man, something that always seemed broken when she was around Remus, who never seemed to have time for her anymore.
"Then I don't know if I'm mad." He answered, standing up and stalking into the bedroom, leaving Rhia alone.
She stood in the middle of the room, debating whether she should follow him or merely stay put. After a few moments of indecision, she went to the only place where she knew her mind would be clear: the rooftop.
She wasn't exactly hoping Simeon would be there, but neither did she believe he wouldn't be. It seemed that every time Rhia needed to get away, she would go up to the roof and he would be there, standing at the edge. His hands crossed behind his back, staring out into oblivion... almost waiting for her to appear again.
Once again, she wasn't let down. As her eyes peered over the edge, he stood there, silhouetted by the setting sun. She smiled, her breath almost catching in her throat. He really did look like an angel.
"Simeon," she called softly, not wanting to disturb him. He turned, grinning the charming smile that made her knees weak.
"Rhiannon, you're back." Every time he said it as if he believed she would never return; she could almost taste the anxiety of betrayal.
"Of course," she replied, walking over to him. He motioned for her to sit on the sofa they had magicked up here a few rendezvous' ago. She sat close to him, and he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer. She bit back a gasp. A picture of Remus flashed before her eyes.
"I've missed you," he whispered into her hair. She sighed and leaned back. You see? This is what her relationship with Remus was missing! The passion, the desperation, the fire! "I was waiting."
"You're always waiting, Simeon."
"Is that bad?"
"I don't think so."
"He does." Rhia gave a start. Simeon had never acknowledged Remus before.
"He?"
"Your lover."
Rhia sighed. "Remus."
"Yes, him. Does he know you come up here?"
"No, of course not. I could never let him know that we meet like this. It would kill him." She spoke these words slowly, as if they were just sinking in. It would kill him. Oh god, what was she doing?
"Why do you continue to meet me then?" he asked.
"Because... because I have to. As much as I lo - care about Remus," she said, choosing her words carefully, "our relationship feels empty. We're always fighting, he's so distant... there's no passion anymore. It's going nowhere. That's why I continue to see you, Simeon. I need this. I need you." Simeon leaned down and kissed her then, more passionately than he ever had before. She received him entirely, not really knowing why, only hearing the truth in her words. She needed this.
"You need me? You've got me," he whispered to her. The rest, as they say, is history.
* * *
"Sirius, have you seen my briefcase?" Annie called from the bedroom. "I've got to take those signed papers into work before I leave for Christmas break or Mr. Atheron will slaughter me!" Sirius walked in, laughing.
"Annie, love, you brought those papers in yesterday morning. Are you okay? Your brain has been so scattered lately!"
"I know," she replied, opening her arms. Sirius embraced her, smoothing down her frazzled hair. "I'm a bit preoccupied lately. Can we sit? I need to talk to you."
"Of course doll." He led her to the bed, gathering her in his arms as they leaned back against the large, fluffy pillows. Annie had insisted on redecorating Sirius' flat after the engagement.
"Honey, I want a baby." She figured the best way to start discussing it would be flat out bluntness.
Sirius didn't even skip a beat. "Okay." Annie twisted to face him.
"What? Really?"
"Sure. I want to, you want to, why not? We will be married soon, after all."
"Well, we haven't even set a date yet! Wouldn't a baby out of wedlock be sort of... unconventional?"
Sirius chuckled. "Since when have I ever stuck to conventionality? And I thought the baby was your idea, why are you arguing with me?"
"Devil's advocate," Annie shrugged. "I just wasn't expecting to you just up and agree right away. I had a whole defense planned!"
"Really?" Sirius grinned. "I'm all ears."
"Well... okay, I lied. I was just going to cry and whine until you said yes."
"That would have worked too. You know I can't stand to see you cry."
"That's why I thought of it."
Sirius laughed again, and Annie snuggled closer to him. Sirius was the sweetest man in the world. How had she ever caught and tamed such a beast?
"What are you thinking about?" he asked after a moment.
"How I got so lucky," she replied warmly, stroking the arm wrapped possessively across her chest.
"Maybe the same way I did."
She twisted once again to look into his eyes. "I love you, you know. And I think starting a family with you might just make all my dreams come true."
Sirius leaned over her, a spark in his eye. "Wanna start trying now?"
~*~
APPROX. THREE MONTHS LATER
~*~
Godric's Hollow was an absolute Winter Wonderland on Christmas Eve. Garlands of holly twisted about everywhere, three stockings labeled 'James', 'Lily', and 'Harry' were hung on the mantle, and a tall evergreen (bewitched to have continuous snow falling on it) stood magnificently in the living room.
"Did you do that yourself?" Remus asked at their Christmas party that night, gesturing to the tree and it's snow.
"After that detention with Flitwick putting up decorations in sixth year, I figured out how." James replied, handing out small glasses of brandy to his fellow Marauders.
"It's much better than our tree." Sirius said, taking a long draught. "Annie insisted on some scrawny Charlie Brown one."
"And you caved." Peter teased.
"At least I'm getting some, Wormtail." Sirius taunted.
"Stop that, you two." Lily admonished, walking by with Harry on her hip. "It's Christmas Eve, isn't this a time for 'goodwill towards men'?"
"Blah, blah." Peter rolled his eyes as she walked off.
"So, what is Father Christmas getting little Harry this holiday?" Remus asked, settling himself by the fire.
"Clothes, most likely." James replied. "Lily- excuse me- Mother Christmas got most of his presents, and that's the most useful thing to get him. Of course, Father Christmas insisted on getting a miniature Polaris 260."
"And what did Mother Christmas think of this?" asked Peter.
"Said it was impractical." He scoffed. "That a baby doesn't need a broom, especially when he only just learned to hold up his own head."
"That's true." Remus smiled.
"Remus, is Rhia still insisted on setting out cookies for Father Christmas?" Sirius asked. Remus's smile quickly melted away.
"Dunno." He said simply, looking across the room to where Rhia and Annie were tickling Harry's feet and kissing his hands.
"Everyone fawns over my son." James said proudly.
"Well, he isn't an ugly baby, he probably got his looks from his mother's side of the family." Peter replied and was promptly smacked over the head by James.
"Speaking of babies," Sirius said softly, a shiver of excitement in his voice, "I've been pondering this thought..."
"What kind of thought?" Remus asked warily.
"Remus, what would you think of being an uncle?" Sirius quickly mumbled.
"An uncle?!" Remus cried.
"Holy Hecate, look at the time." Sirius jumped to his feet. "We've got to be going, see you all tomorrow!"
He bolted across the room, grabbed Annie's hand, and hurried her out the door, leaving Remus to fume over his full brandy.
~*~
"Lovely party." Rhia said softly, trying to make some conversation later that night as she hung up her and Remus's stockings.
"Yes." Remus nodded. "Did you have fun?"
"Yes." She replied. "You?"
"Mmmhmm."
Silence filled the air and was only broken by the soft crackling of the fire.
"There, all finished."Rhia stood back to inspect her handiwork a few moments later.
"Everything's done?" he asked.
"The cookies are out, the stockings are up, yes." She nodded.
"Well, then...I'm going to bed." Remus stood and stretched, then said absent-mindedly, as if he had been thinking it and hadn't meant to say it aloud at all, "You can go up to the roof now."
"Pardon?" Rhia wrinkled her brow, trying her hardest to look confused.
Remus sighed. Best get it over with now, now that she knew he knew.
"I know what's going on, Rhia." He muttered. "You think I'm just some stupid fool who'll sit by and never notice a thing, but I do."
"I-I don't understand." She stuttered helplessly, trying hard to find an out of this situation. She did love Remus, honestly! She didn't want to hurt him...
"Of course you do!" he cried, his voice getting louder. "I saw him kiss you and I didn't see you reject him! I know you go up there all the time!"
"Remus-"
"What does he have that I don't?" he asked angrily. "Is he better than I am in some way? Just tell me!"
"Good Merlin, Remus!" Rhia exploded, feeling all the pain and secrets and hiding she had been doing for months pour out of her. "I wasn't getting anything from you! No love or comfort! Not even good conversation, what was I to do? He was there when I needed him!"
"So you don't need me anymore, then?" Remus's voice had grown soft and menacing. Rhia clenched her teeth before answering.
"No," She shook her head, staring at the ground. "I don't need you anymore, Remus Lupin."
"Fine, then it's over." Remus growled and turned sharply around, slamming the bedroom door behind him as he left.
"Remus!" she cried as she followed him into the bedroom. He was standing with his back to her, staring out the window.
"Get out," he growled.
"Not until we talk."
"We have nothing to talk about."
Rhia sighed and fell onto the bed. "I didn't mean for it to happen. I didn't want it to happen even, not in the beginning. The entire time, I was thinking of you and how I knew it would kill you if you found out... but part of me couldn't help it. I was lost, Remus. You have no idea."
He turned, and Rhia was shocked to see he looked tired and old, not at all sad or angry. "Give me an idea," he asked, but made no move to sit with her. She took a deep breath.
"Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to watch Sirius propose to Annie?" she asked.
"What does that have to do with this?" he snapped.
"A lot!" she snapped back. "Just answer me."
"No," he gave in, "I suppose I don't."
"I've had to endure so much, Remus. I've had to listen to you mother tell me how much she wants grandchildren, how much she loves me, how much she doesn't understand why we aren't going anywhere. I've had to stand aside while I watch my best friend, the womanizer, settle down, fall in love, and propose to his girl. I had to be there for Lily every step of the way while she was going through her pregnancy. Now, I don't regret any of it. I love your mother, I love Annie and Sirius together, and I love Lily and little Harry. But having to watch all this happen while I sit around and wonder why on earth it isn't happening to me is too hard for me to handle anymore! I love you with all of my heart, and all of my soul. You are the anchor that keeps me here, Remus. I don't know what I'd be doing or who I'd be if it weren't for you. I've been in love with you since I was 11 years old. You are a part of me. You are my life. But to watch it die in front of my eyes, well... I couldn't take it. For months I tried to find something wrong with me. You claim to love me, yet as all of our friends' lives went on, we stayed here in this zone where nothing changes. I want to marry you, Remus! I want to start a family! I want to spend the rest of my life knowing that I'm living it for you and with you. You weren't giving me that, not at all. What do you expect a girl to do?"
"Control herself," he replied quietly, not looking at her.
"Damnit, Remus!" she exploded. "How can I apologize? How can I make it up to you? I love you! I know I've hurt you, and it hurts me more than you will ever know! But I also know that we're supposed to be together. It's Fate, darling. What can I do to make you forgive me?"
Remus was quiet for a long time. She let him think. Give it time, she thought. He needs time.
"Leave."
"I'm sorry?"
Remus turned back towards the window. "I said, leave. Make it up to me by leaving, and don't you ever look back."
* * *
Rhia knocked on the door to their flat, not knowing how she would begin to speak. She swiped a hand at her freshly falling tears, sniffling a little. The door swung open.
"Rhia? What happened? Are you alright?" Rhia just shook her head, dropped her bags, and collapsed into Sirius' arms.
~*~
"I just don't understand why he'd do this to her." Sirius whispered to Annie as they tidied up the kitchen, watching Rhia sleep soundly on the sofa in the next room.
"Perhaps it has something to do with that fellow she kissed, the supposed Death Eater." She replied quietly.
"I thought we agreed you imagined that, love." He reminded her.
"No, I know what I saw!" She cried. "They were kissing. Maybe they've done more than that, it's been seven months since then. Maybe that's why they broke up."
"Or maybe they just had a fight." He suggested.
"Believe what you want, but I think it's because of that Death Eater fellow." She said.
"Don't you dare go asking her about it, Annabelle." Sirius chastised. "She's in enough pain as it is."
"Using my full name? Who do you think you are, my father?" Annie cocked one eyebrow coyly.
"If I was your father, I'd have to spank you." He murmured mischievously.
~*~
Rhia woke early the next morning to the smell of fresh coffee being made and the sound of pots clanging in the kitchen. It took a moment for her to realize where she was and what had gone on the previous night. Once she did remember, her heart fell and she buried her face into the couch she was on, feeling ashamed and hurt and completely, utterly lost.
"Rhia, are you up?" Sirius called from the kitchen. Rhia sighed and stood, walking into the room and sitting at the table.
"Morning." She said half-heartedly.
"Merry Christmas," he greeted. "How are you feeling?"
"Like crap." She muttered.
"That's to be expected." He answered. "Do you want some eggs?"
"Scrambled." She replied. "Where's Annie?"
"She isn't well." He said as he poured coffee into three mugs. "She didn't get much sleep last night and I guess it's taking it's toll now."
"Have you opened your presents yet?" she asked.
"Yeah, last night." He nodded, then leaned over to open the windows just in time for the mail owls to fly in.
"Anything interesting?" Annie asked, walking into the kitchen, looking pale and tired.
"Christmas cards...a reminder from Lily to come over tonight...a last- minute present from my uncle...probably money." He put the mail in a neat stack on the table. "Are you hungry, Annie?"
"No, I don't think my stomach can handle anything." Annie shook her head as two owls flew in, carrying a large package between then.
"Wonder what this could be?" Sirius pondered, poking the lumpy package with the spatula he held. Annie opened it carefully to reveal a large pile of brightly wrapped Christmas gifts.
"What are these?" Annie asked bewilderedly. "They're all addressed to Rhia."
"Me?" Rhia leaned forward and picked up some of the presents.
"Who are they from?" asked Sirius.
"I know who they're from." Rhia muttered. "Remus sent them."
"This one isn't addressed to you." Sirius held out a bright blue present.
"That's because it's my present to him." Rhia said quietly as someone knocked on the door.
"I'll get it." Annie offered, standing and leaving the room. Sirius and Rhia sat in silence for a few moments, Sirius feeling shocked and Rhia incredibly hurt until Annie returned from the door.
"Who is it?" Sirius asked.
"Erm...someone for Rhia." Annie replied, looking somewhat nervous.
"It's probably Remus deciding to yell at me some more." Rhia said bitterly as she left the kitchen and walked to the front door, opening it a little wider to see who stood in the hall.
"Hello, Rhia."
"Simeon," She said softly.
~*~
"Do you think we should call the police?"
"I don't know..." Sirius sighed. "Annie, there is a wanted Death Eater in our living room making tea-time chatter with Rhia!"
"You see? I told you I wasn't imagining it. There he is, sitting on our couch, drinking our tea, with our best friend!" Annie exclaimed in a whisper. Rhia had let Simeon in, conjured up a pot of tea, and they were now sitting on the couch talking quietly. Sirius and Annie, ever the curious snoopers, were carefully leaning around the door jam in the hallway, spying.
"Okay, okay! I admit it, you were right." Annie smiled. "And if I ever have to say that again, I may just well be sick."
"Honey, we're getting married. Get used to admitting you're wrong." She ordered and Sirius began to chuckle quietly, but abruptly stopped. "Love, what's wrong?" Annie asked. He just pointed, dropped jaw hanging wide open, to where Rhia had collapsed into the stranger's arms.
* * *
Rhia took a sip of tea, staring at Simeon over the rim of her teacup. They hadn't spoke much since she had met him at the front door. Just a simple greeting, a bit too casual for their... relationship. The term was much harder for Rhia to swallow now. "So... what brings you by?" she asked, trying to sound nonchalant. Simeon gave her a wry smile.
"I think you know, love," he replied. The once-endearing term now made Rhia go rigid.
"Simeon... I don't know what to tell you. I've had a bit of a falling out with... well, him... and I'm not sure of how I'm feeling right now." This was a blatant lie. She knew exactly what she was feeling - her head was screaming at her, enraged that she had ever made such a huge mistake; her stomach was on the verge of retching up her breakfast, or lack thereof, because she felt so nervous around him; and her heart was breaking all over again with her having to face the reason why she was no longer in the arms of her beloved.
"I can tell you how I'm feeling, though... Rhiannon, I'm desperate. Before I met you, I was never one for relationships. Without boring you with the details, I've never actually had a successful relationship, and I've definitely never been in love. It's almost been forbidden for me. But Rhia, if the times we have spent together have shown me one thing, its that I do love you. Very much, in fact. Its why I'm here now."
Rhia felt a lump rising in her throat. Her heart was being ripped in two. She desperately missed Remus, but Simeon was warming parts of her she thought had died last night. She needed him... she didn't need him... oh, bullocks, she needed something!
"Simeon, I... I..." Truthfully, Rhia didn't know what she was going to say. But suddenly, she didn't feel as if words were necessary. She just looked into Simeon's eyes and saw what she needed to see. She pitched herself forward and wrapped her arms around his chest. Simeon breathed in a sigh of relief.
* * *
Somewhere across the country, in secret...
* * *
"How is our contact doing on location?" a chilling voice asked.
"Ve-very well, my Lord," a second, quivering voice answered. "He has successfully broken apart O'Leary and Lupin. The Potters are sure to have heard by now."
"Any reason to believe that Simeon has grown, shall we say, attached to his mission?"
The second voice hesitated, just for a second. "No, sir." If the Dark Lord picked up on this hesitation, he made no verbal note of it.
"Wonderful." Voldemort paused. "You know, I am glad you came to me with your inside information. I was beginning to suspect a double agent was exactly what my plan needed. You came to me at exactly the right time. Remind me to personally thank Lucius."
"Yes, sir." He was shaking all over, and excessive talking was sure to let the master aware.
"First, you tell me how to weaken the Potters, two of my most formidable opponents, by attacking them on the inside. Breaking down their friends was a stroke of genius, and I don't admit genius to persons other than myself very often."
"Thank you greatly, My Lord."
"And then, when I thought you could rise no higher, you give me the information I have been needing beyond anything. The birth of a baby that fits the prophecy! And to whom does this innocent babe belong? To none other than the very rivals you have betrayed to aid me!"
He didn't like it when the Dark Lord spoke like that. It reminded him of the awful things he had done, to his friends, and family... to Rhia and Remus.
"We will need to begin surveillance on the child. Assign my best intelligence agents on it."
"Yes, sir."
Voldemort gave a sudden, bone-chilling laugh. "There is no need to be frightened. I will not harm you... today. You have done well, Wormtail."
"Thank you, sir."
~*~
"Everything seems to be falling apart." Lily whispered softly a few days after Christmas, sitting in front of the fire with James and Harry.
"It isn't." James assured her.
"It is, James." She retorted. "Rhia and Remus are through, and you know that it takes an awful lot to put them through the mill."
"He did see her with another fellow, Lily." James reminded her.
"Yes, I know." Lily leaned onto Harry's sweet-smelling head. "But it still seems awkward. She met him on a rooftop of all places."
"A bit mysterious, yes," he nodded.
"And the attacks have been increasing." She added. "There's one every day."
"Lily," James leaned forward to press a hand to her cheek, "you worry far too much. Dumbledore's working very hard against this dark uprising, and we're helping as much as we can, all right? Don't fret, or you'll work yourself into a tizzy."
"I won't." she replied adamantly as someone came sliding out of the fireplace, covered with soot.
"Padfoot, old boy, there you are." James greeted him.
"Look at you, Sirius, you're an absolute mess." Lily put Harry in his playpen before going over to help brush the ash from his shoulders and face.
"It's snowing too hard to use the bike, and we hardly ever use our fireplace." Sirius explained. "Where's my godson?"
"Aren't those usually the first words out of your mouth, Sirius?" James cocked an eyebrow as he handed his son over to him.
"Just trying to be a dutiful godfather, Prongsy." Sirius grinned.
"How's Annie?" Lily asked, still brushing soot from his black mane.
"Still sick." He replied. "She's only eating crackers."
"You'll take her some soup, then." Lily fussed.
"Have you heard from Remus?" asked James.
"No," he shook his head. "Annie and Mrs. Lupin tried to get him to leave the apartment, but he's too depressed, poor fellow. Rhia seems in between."
"What do you mean?" Lily furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.
"She feels bad for what happened, yes," Sirius explained, "but she seems perfectly satisfied with her new man."
"What's-his-name." James scowled.
"Simeon." Sirius corrected. "Well, James, are we going to visit Dumbledore or not?"
"We're going, we're going." James rolled his eyes and gave his wife and son a kiss. Sirius handed Harry back to Lily and kissed her cheek as well.
"Be back in time for supper, James!" Lily ordered as James took the Floo powder jar off the mantle.
"Yes, dear." James answered while Sirius stepped in and disappeared and he followed.
They landed in Dumbledore's office with a thump that didn't seem to startle the old man sitting behind the desk.
"Hello, James, Sirius." Dumbledore greeted.
"Professor." James smiled and shook hands with him, Sirius following suit.
"I'm afraid I haven't much time to talk, but here." Dumbledore held out two scrolls of parchment. "It's the complete list of those participating in the Order. I didn't want to owl them, in case they were intercepted."
James and Sirius nodded in understanding. They, along with a few others, had joined the Order of the Pheonix Dumbledore had established a few months ago, to aid him in his fight against Voldemort and the Death Eaters.
"Is that all, Professor?" Sirius asked.
"No, I've something to tell James." Dumbledore turned to the black-haired man. "We've gotten a lead on Henrickson. Inform the Aurors that he is a definite."
James nodded once again, and Sirius held back a snigger. Who would have thought that James Potter, Marauder and leader of pranks, would turn into an Auror?
"Headmaster, I-"
James and Sirius turned around to see someone entering Dumbledore's office.
"Snevellis." Sirius muttered under his breath and was quickly kicked in the shin by James.
"Thank you, gentlemen, that will be all." Dumbledore bowed his head towards them, asking their leave. James and Sirius shared looks before leaving through the fireplace.
"Severus, please have a seat." Dumbledore gestured to the over-stuffed chair across from his.
"No, thank you. There's something I must discuss with you, Headmaster." Severus said anxiously, and Dumbledore could see that he was in incredible distress.
"What is it?" Dumbledore sat back down in his own chair.
"I..." Severus faltered, staring at his left arm through his robes.
"You needn't be afraid, Severus." Dumbledore gestured with his hand.
"Headmaster, it's not that I'm afraid of telling you, but...afraid of your reaction." He murmured.
"Whatever it is you have to say, Severus, I assure you I will keep my composure."
Severus took a deep breath.
"Headmaster, I'm a Death Eater."
Dumbledore stared back placidly, as if he had announced what he planned to have for dinner instead of announcing the fact that he had helped kill and torture.
"Yes, for about a year now, is it?" Dumbledore murmured, his eyes a- twinkling.
"But...how did you know?" Severus cried. "I-"
"There are many who wish to help those who want to fight the good fight." Dumbledore said, his voice slow and drawling as if he were a sage of old. "They provide me with my information."
"So you knew." He said.
"Yes." He nodded. "And I also knew you were following Lucius Malfoy's lead and would come back to our side. Once you saw the error of your ways."
"Yes, well..." Severus bit his lip. "I believe I have."
"Then perhaps you can help us." Dumbledore leaned forward. "We've been looking for someone to willingly go amidst the Death Eaters and act spy for us. You mustn't be forced to, but if you are able, we would be very gratified if you would do this."
"Sir, I..." Severus sighed. Perhaps he would be able to save her! "If you think that this is a good idea, then yes."
"Very good." Dumbledore smiled. "Now, you seem to be troubled. What's the matter?"
Other than the fact that he was betraying those he once counted as friends? Other than he was putting his life at risk for a young woman that was unattainable? A young married woman with a baby?
"I have been with the Death Eaters for over a year now. And last night, I received an important piece of information."
"And what would that be?"
"The Dark Lord...sir, they're planning to kill the Potters."
Dumbledore leaned back at this and pinched the bridge of his nose under his glasses. "Some days, Severus, I fear I am getting too old for this."
Severus gasped, drolly stating, "You, Headmaster? Never!"
Dumbledore chuckled, but sat up straighter. "All joking aside, Severus, you've given me some information I have been fearing for a long time now... we need a plan."