Chapter 3: The Start of a New Life
"The Fidelius Charm is an incalculably complicated spell. It involves the magical concealment of a secret within a single, living soul. The information is hidden inside this well-chosen person, whom we call a Secret-Keeper. As long as this Secret-Keeper does not divulge the secret, the hidden people are impossible to find. As long as the Secret-Keeper is loyal, You-Know-Who could search the whole Wizarding World but still not be able to find James and Lily."
Professor Flitwick's words sunk into Lily and James. Lily slumped back onto her chair, while James tightened his hand around hers.
Sirius, Remus and Peter crowded around them. The large room became seemingly small as the atmosphere tensed.
James glanced at Lily, who nodded her head tiredly. They were both sick of living in fear of Voldemort. They both knew that it was the only solution and the only problem was choosing the right person.
"We'll do it."
Professor Dumbledore smiled at them. Those two are brave souls, he thought. He knew it right from the start.
"I'll do it too."
Heads turned in the direction of Sirius Black. The handsome 19-year-old boy with clear, deep pools of eyes looked at them determinedly.
"I'll be the Secret-Keeper. You all know I would not betray James and Lily, really. I will not give in even if Voldemort finds out that the Secret-Keeper." Everyone flinched slightly at the mention of the Dark Lord's name. Sirius continued, "I would rather die than to betray my friend."
Tears appeared in his eyes.
James got up and pulled Sirius into a hug. Lily felt immensely grateful towards Sirius. He had not only been a friend. He had been an advisor, a great help. He had helped whenever Remus transformed; he had helped in James and Lily's wedding; he had helped the Potters move house; he had helped them so much
Professor Dumbledore's brow furrowed.
"James, I can be your Secret-Keeper if you want."
"Professor, thank you very much, but I trust Sirius with my life. Sirius would rather die than to tell Voldemort where we are."
"Yes, Professor. I am also planning to go into hiding myself."
"Well, alright then, if you wish. However, according to Professor Flitwick, the Charm is only ready in a year. Unlike any normal charm, it requires a potion to aid in its working. So meanwhile, during this year, you will have to remain alert at all times. You may also want to think carefully about your choice of Secret-Keeper"
"Yes, thank you, Professor." James and Lily answered.
~
[4 months later]
Many months had passed by peacefully at Godric's Hollow, and Lily and James were still adjusting to their new life together
"James Potter! Get down RIGHT NOW!"
"Oh my goodness, woman, it's only 9 in the morning and you're already shrieking at the top of your voice" James rolled over in the bed and continued dozing.
Lily was already fuming. "Look at yourself, you lazy git! I can't imagine why I even married you! Your clothes are lying all over the place, your study is so messy, your socks are not in pairs, your"
"Lily! Will you stop talking to me like I'm a one-year-old kid? I know how to take care of myself!" James was fully awake now.
Lily tried hard not to let her tears flow out. "Fine! Since you know how to take care of yourself, you don't need me! I'm thoroughly SICK of this life. I'm getting out! I'm sure even Petunia is far better than me with her dahhhhhling Vernon than me with you!"
"Wait, Lily, wait!"
It was too late. Lily was already storming out of the room and down the stairs.
Why is he so lazy and messy? Why is he so different? I really can't imagine spending the rest of my life with him... he's making me feel sick!
Speaking of being sick, Lily was really feeling sick. She rushed to the nearest toilet and threw up what seemed to be her breakfast. Oh my goodness, not my temper again I really must try controlling myself. It's really not good for my –
"Lily! I'm really so sorry!" James had rushed in and was shocked at the sight of Lily. "Lily" James tried to hug her.
Lily shook him off. "Let go."
"No."
"Buzz off."
"No."
"Stop blocking the doorway!" A nasal feeling crept up Lily and she threw up again.
"Lily, are you okay?" James was sincerely concerned.
"Okay? Are you sure I'm okay? Oh of course, I'm feeling sooooo great, I've been such an idiot, marrying an idiot, living with the messiest person I've ever seen in my whole life, and knowing that my baby will grow up to be like him! And this person is actually my husband? Life is sooooo wonderful! And"
"Lily! You're pregnant!"
Lily blushed.
"Lily! It's too wonderful! You're pregnant! Is it a boy or a girl? What are you going to name him or her? How old is it?" James chattered excitedly and hugged Lily, putting his ear on her tummy.
"Listen, I can hear him kicking! It's certainly a boy! He knows his Daddy! Oh my goodness, I'm going to be a daddy! I can't believe it! I simply must write to Sirius, Remus, Peter, and everybody else! Heck, I'll announce it over the papers!"
"James!" Lily scolded him good-naturedly, and blushed yet again.
"My bride is pregnant," James whispered. He kissed Lily on the cheek and pulled her out of the bathroom onto a sofa. He lay his head on Lily's shoulder and pulled her close. There, they shared one of the most beautiful moments of their life.
~
"Jamsie's gonna be a Daddy! Jamsie's gonna be a Daddy! Jamsie's gonna be a Daddy" Sirius bounced into Godric's Hollow, singing at the top of his voice. Remus and Peter walked more sedately into the house, wearing grins on their faces.
Sirius bounced over to Lily, and hugged her tightly.
"Hey Sirius! Watch it! Lily's pregnant you know, you'd better be careful with her. If anything happens, I'm the first to kill you"
"Okay, okay" Sirius muttered something about pre-matured daddies, earning a punch in his ribs.
Remus walked over and hugged Lily carefully. "Hey Lils, congrats!"
Peter walked to James and shook his hand. "Hey pal, good job!" James grinned widely.
"Hey, James, Lily, come and look at what we've gotten for the baby!"
Sirius snatched one of the bags and tore it open. He pulled out a book, "Hogwarts, A History: A Simplified Version for Kids". He grinned at Lily and said, "There, Lily! Now you can tell the baby all about Hogwarts so that he would not become a squib one day!"
Lily pretended to glare at him. "Thanks, Sirius!"
"Don't thank me, it's from Remus. Only he would think of this"
Remus really glared at Sirius. "What's wrong with a book, Padfoot? I would say that there's really something wrong with giving a baby a toy broomstick Lily, you'd better watch out!"
"Really?" James sounded delighted.
"Of course! Tada! A toy broomstick courtesy of Sirius Black!"
James snatched the gleaming broomstick, while Lily eyed it suspiciously.
"Are you sure that thing is safe?"
"Oh of course it is!" Sirius reassured her.
"Yipee! A broomstick! My baby would be a first-class chaser like me, no doubt. Thanks, Sirius!"
Lily shook her head in amusement.
Peter handed Lily some baby accessories. "Here, there are some clothes and other stuff that you might need."
James looked at Peter's gifts curiously. "Why are all the things made for baby boys?"
"Erm because I would love it to be a baby boy! Yeah!" (Actually, Peter knows it is going to be a baby boy because Shadia Fogs predicted it – Chapter 2)
"Great!" James grinned at Peter. "We both have the same premonitions, don't we?"
Lily accepted the gifts gratefully.
"Do you realise that we have a very big problem here?" James said.
"What?" the other marauders chorused.
"We need a name for the baby!"
Lily nodded in agreement.
"Why not name it Sirius?" Who else could this comment have come from?
"Gah." Remus made a face.
"I know, I know!" Sirius jumped up and down the sofa.
"What?" Peter asked impatiently.
"Name it Dudley!"
"No way!" Lily protested. "That name means from the meadow, and it would make my baby seem like a cow or something. Besides, that's the kind of name that Petunia would think of. Dudley Dursley. Perfect. But Dudley Potter? Please! Why don't we think of some names for baby girls?"
"We all know that we are going to get a boy" James coaxed her.
"How do you know?" Lily argued.
"Because because Peter thought so?"
Lily waggled a finger at James.
"Okay, if it's a girl, we'll name it Petunia." Peter suggested.
"What?" Lily was thoroughly disgusted.
"No, no, let's get serious." James decided.
"Okay" Sirius said.
"If it's a boy, we'll name it after my grandfather, Harry."
"Harry Potter" Lily said thoughtfully. "It sounds just right!"
James smiled.
"And if it's a girl"
"We'll name it Hilary!" Lily answered.
"Hilary Potter yeah, I like it!"
Remus and Peter nodded in agreement.
"But" Sirius started.
"Padfoot, for once, I would not allow you to give any suggestions. I am very satisfied with both names, and you have to be satisfied too."
"Okay," Sirius grinned apologetically.
"Harry Potter and Hilary Potter" Lily murmured as she patted her tummy.
To be continued...
© Hazel Dreamer 2002