Lana
A month and a half later, Lily woke up with a start. Breathing heavily, she made her way to the toilet in record time. She then paid tribute to the porcelain gods for nearly five minutes before she felt a pair of hand pull her vomit-laced hair back from her face.
Leaning up against the wall, she wiped her mouth with a towel James had provided. She wearily looked up towards him, her eyes watering.
"Baby, are you ok?" James asked, sitting down next to her.
"No… I just spent five minutes puking up yesterday's meals." She sighed, "I'm tired… What time is it?"
"A quarter of six. Do you want to go back to bed?" James asked, helping her up.
"Yeah…" Lily walked with shaking legs back to their bed and laid down. Not caring she was on James' side, she curled up into a ball, taking in the warmth he had left. He came back a moment later with a cup full of water, offering it to her. She drank gladly, her eyelids drooping.
"Thanks James." She mumbled, lying back down on his pillow.
"You're welcome baby." James said, lying in her spot. "Are you feeling any better?"
Lily nodded, "Yeah, a little."
"Good… Now go back to sleep."
"G'night James."
"Good night, Lily baby."
The two woke up four hours later, Lily's illness still fresh in James' mind.
"James, honey, I'm fine… Really. You don't need to wait on me hand and foot." Lily smiled as James rushed around, conjuring up toast and fried eggs. "Although it is nice."
He looked over at her and smiled, "Just sit there. You've always been the one to make breakfast, and you're sick now, so it's my turn."
"If you insist." Lily leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes.
Good morning, Severus.
Morning Lil… Don't tell me you just woke up?
Rough night.
Are you ok? Did you have a nightmare? Did James do anything to you?
Lily suppressed a laugh, I'm fine. I just threw up a quarter after six, that's all. James is currently bustling around the kitchen, making me breakfast.
James? Bustling? Take a picture. Are you sure you're ok?
Yes, I'm fine. It was awful though, a full five minutes.
There was silence for a moment as James set a plate of eggs in front of her. "Thanks baby."
"You're welcome."
Lily took a bite and was pleasantly surprised at the taste. "These are good."
James laughed, "What did you expect?"
"Worse than this." Lily admitted, taking another bite. As you were saying.
Do you have the flu?
No, thank God. I just got a little nausea, that's all. It happens.
If you're sure… Father's expecting me downstairs soon, so I'll have to end this conversation for now. Keep me informed and tell me if you get any worse.
I will… Bye, Sev.
Bye love, have a good day.
You too.
"When's the next meeting with Dumbledore?" James asked, interrupting her thoughts.
"A few weeks. Are your friends coming over for Christmas again?"
James nodded, "Yes. Can you believe Sirius has another girlfriend?"
Lily grinned, "How many is that? Twelve, thirteen maybe since we last saw him?"
"Since you last saw him," James corrected, "The full moon was two weeks ago."
"Ahh, ok… I must have slept through it, sorry." Lily
apologized. "You know, I think I've got an idea for the counter curse.
Remember how we were talking about a spell set on the person before hand?
Maybe that could actually work. A shielding charm powerful enough to reflect
it back."
"That would be one hell of a shielding charm." James
commented, "Quite a few of them would have to be put on one single person."
"Maybe not… Maybe if he somehow came up with enhancing the capabilities and powers, it might work."
James shook his head, "You might want to check with Dumbledore on that first before you try it; make sure it's possible and all that."
Lily nodded, "I'm sure it is. We just have to come up with a way to make it possible."
"Easier said than done, babe."
"I know, but it's still worth a shot."
The next morning, Lily threw up once more. This time, however, she refused to go back to bed, insisting she had to see Dumbledore. Apparating once more in front of the Hogwarts gates, she opened them, chilled from the winter snow. Making her way through the castle once more, she whispered the password and went up to his chamber. It was around the time he usually woke up, but to be on the safe side, she knocked softly. Hearing a rustling from inside, she heard the door being unlocked and finally opened, revealing a freshly groomed Dumbledore.
"Good morning Lily… To what do I owe this honor?" he asked, inviting her in.
"Papa, I have a problem." Lily said, still standing up. "A big one."
Dumbledore looked mildly interested as he sat down in one of the large armchairs decorating his living quarters. "And what would that be?"
"I think I'm pregnant." Lily admitted, "And if I am, I don't know if it's James or Severus' baby."
Dumbledore took off his glasses and wiped them with the edge of his robes. "Well, well… That certainly does seem to be a problem. Didn't I tell you to be careful with Severus?"
Lily nodded, "The first twenty-four times were fine, but then we ran out of… protection."
Dumbledore chuckled, "Like rabbits, you two are when you're together… Perfectly understandable, of course… Is there an even chance of it being either ones'?"
"James has me sleep with him every chance he gets, and especially before I leave and after I get back." Lily said, slightly embarrassed to be talking about her sex life with her grandfather.
"So it all depends on who had the right timing… I guess we'll just have to wait and see? I'm sure the child is bound to look like his or her father, as most children do. As of now, however, it is James. Until we have proof it is Severus', it will remain James'. You can alert Severus of the possibility it might be his, but anything past him I strictly forbid."
"Yes, Papa." Lily said obediently. "I'm… scared,
kind of. Do you think you could make sure, see if I'm just under a lot
of stress or really have the flu?"
Dumbledore motioned for her to come forward. She
obeyed, and a moment later his hand was over her abdomen. A wide smile
broke out on his face as he looked up at Lily.
"Yes, you're pregnant. Would you like to know the gender?"
Lily thought for a moment, "Tell you what. I'll send
you a list of both boy and girl names, and you pick out the best name from
the right gender, ok?"
Dumbledore nodded, "Fair enough."
"Thanks again, Papa."
"You're welcome Lily… Congratulations."