A/N: Thanks for the reviews! Here's some more story!

Chapter 21: Confirming the Worst

When James woke up the following day, he was pleased to find that Lily was still asleep in his arms, her head resting gently on his chest. He was, however, a bit surprised at first by where they were: under chenille throw and lying on the living room carpet. That only lasted for a fleeting moment, for then James recalled the events of the night before. He grinned to himself, kissed the top of Lily's head, and while stroking her hair gently, tried to go back to sleep. Unfortunately, this did not seem to be a feasible option for at that moment, the fireplace started roaring and the head of none other than Bartemius Crouch appeared before him and the sleeping Lily.

"Potter!" barked Crouch in a very exasperated tone. It was instantly apparent to James that Crouch hadn't even gone to bed the night before.

"Yes sir, Mr. Crouch."

Crouch looked somewhat shocked by the scene that lay before him, he shook his head and muttered something to himself. "I have a serious matter to discuss with you, Potter."

James silently prayed that Lily would stay asleep, but of course that would have been against her character. At that exact moment, Lily began to stir. Her eyes fluttered open, and much to James's mortification, she tried to kiss his lips, but he turned in time, leaving her to kiss his cheek instead. He could sense that she was about to sit up and yell at him, so he quickly grabbed her in a tight grasp, making sure the blanket was covering her completely from neck to toe.

"What is wro-" Lily began, then noticing James's frantic eye movement toward the fireplace. She turned her head, and when she saw Crouch there, she screamed.

"I'm terribly sorry, Mrs. Potter, to catch you and your husband at such a… err- inopportune time, but there is a matter of great importance to be discussed, and it does involve you both," Crouch said.

Lily could only nod in response, but James actually spoke. "What is it sir?"

Crouch took a deep breath and then began speaking. "Catherine Lestrange has escaped." Both Lily's and James's eyes grew wide at these words. "As of right now, we don't know how, but the only possible way is that it was an inside job. This means that someone from our very own Ministry helped her. Now, due to this and many other events, I have a request for you. I am going to ask for your resignation as Auror."

"What!" James exclaimed. He couldn't help it. This was too much.

"Potter, it is far too dangerous and risky at this time for you to continue in this line of work. We shall keep you on as a Ministry worker, but I ask that you continue to work from home. No doubt you have been able to conclude the same as I that Voldemort and his Dark supporters are looking for both you and your wife. You must be kept safe." Before waiting for another response, Crouch continued. "Now, I must return to the Ministry as there is much work to be done. I will expect your letter on my desk by the end of the day. Good day to you both."

Once Crouch had disappeared from their fireplace, Lily and James just continued to lie there on the floor, perfectly still, staring into the dying flames unable to believe what just happened. After a while, in an attempt to break the silence, Lily simply said "Accio robe!" and waited as her robe came flying down to her. She grabbed it and pulled it on, careful not to face the fireplace, for fear that another person might make a sudden appearance. She then got up and went into the kitchen to make them some breakfast. James however, was still sitting there stunned.

"Was I just fired?" he whispered, shaking his head.

"James, I really don't think it's like that," Lily said, handing him a cup of tea.

"That's what it sounded like to me! They don't want me to work as an Auror any more! What else is there?"

"Darling, honestly, I think this is for the best. I hated the idea of you going out there everyday risking your life, amongst others, when you and I are in actual danger." Lily shook her head. "It's not as though money is an issue. You have the money that was left to you from your mother and sister, and I have some from my parents. Now we have the money from the sale of the house as well…"

"It's not just an issue of finances though! Lily, I was out there making a difference. Helping people, saving people."

"Well, what if you're one of those people that needs to be saved?"

"What are you talking about?"

"James, you know. You know one thing that Voldemort is after, and that he'll stop at nothing for it. It's already cost you your parents and sister. Who else has to die for you to see?" James stared at her wide-eyed. He couldn't believe that his own wife had just said that to him. How can I make him see? thought Lily.

"What?" he asked.

Lily took a deep breath. She had hoped it wouldn't come to this, but apparently it had to. She had to tell James at least something about her visions. "James, do you remember the day you proposed to me?" He nodded. "And remember what happened that night?" James nodded again, this time with an angry look appearing on his face.

"That bastard…" he whispered.

Lily gave him a warning look, but continued anyway. "And do you remember what happened to me? When the Mark appeared on my skin? What I saw and what I told you?"

James looked down at the floor for a minute and scratched his brow. He then looked up and nodded. "You said that he killed me… but that wasn't real. It was just a dream! Wasn't it?"

Tears filled Lily's eyes as she shook her head. "James," she whispered, "I've had the same vision several times, and I think that Gran has had it too."

These last words felt like the executioner's sword. James knew that if a Prelate had a vision it was a virtual certainty that it was only a matter of time before it happened. "How?"

"I think you know…"

James nodded slowly. "The Killing Curse."

"That's why I was so taken aback when I saw those notes of yours in the den. There's just one thing I couldn't figure out… how did you know?"

"The dementors."

Lily looked at his quizzically. "What do you mean?"

"They had never really had any effect on me before. But, for some reason, when they came to take Edward Lestrange away… something happened. I passed out or something, because I guess that I saw something… I know it was Voldemort, I just know it! I can barely remember what exactly it was now, though…"

"Try, James, please try to…"

James rubbed his temples, concentrating very hard. "I was yelling for you to run, trying to hold him off so you could escape… and then there was a flash of green light, and I woke up to find Sirius helping me up off the floor. That's all." He paused for a minute to reflect upon what he had just said. "I knew the flash though. Only one spell can create that…"

A pounding at the door interrupted the serious moment. "Hey! Let me in!" shouted Sirius.

Lily flicked her wrist and said "Alohomora," before calling back to Sirius, "Come in, it's open!"

Sirius came inside the house and at first glance was surprised to find his friends not dressed yet, but instead still in their robes. He smiled slyly for a split second, and then shook his head thinking better of it. "I heard what Crouch told you. I'm sorry, James."

"I'm not going to do it. I don't care who he is," James stated.

"Are you insane? You have to!" Sirius said. "James, he's right. It's too dangerous. You should stay here with Lily…"

"We'll drive each other mad!"

"Thanks," Lily whispered.

"You know what I mean," he said, his eyes meeting hers. Lily nodded.

"Well, I think it's what's best. You know I'll keep you informed of everything that goes on," Sirius said. "Besides, Moody already recommended someone to replace you."

"Great. Now Alastor is in on this too?"

"Don't be such a child, James. You need to grow up and understand how things are working now."

"God, Sirius, not you too!"

"He is trying to fucking kill you and Lily! Don't you even care? Or are you to selfish to see that?"

James was truly taken aback by these words.  Perhaps the harsh reality of the situation had finally stuck him, or perhaps he was simply shocked by the severity of Sirius's words.  Either way, he didn't want it to seem as though he was acting for his own selfish reasons.

"It isn't like that," James muttered.

"Well, then how is it?  Because that's how it seems to all of us!"

"Sirius, I can't just sit idly by and watch as things happen!  Everything seems to be falling to pieces, and I want to do something about it!"

"Darling, we all understand that," Lily started, "but it's just that… well, maybe it is too dangerous now."

"Great, now you're against me too," James said.

"No, I'm not," Lily said, moving onto the defensive.

"James, look at it this way."  Sirius was obviously trying another approach now.  "I told you I would keep you informed of anything that happens, right?"  James nodded.  "Well, you can keep doing research on things… and thing about that big project you started?"

"That's true… but Sirius?"

"Yeah?"

"She already knows about it."

Lily nodded and sighed.  "We discussed the matter yesterday."

James looked over at Lily and the pair made eye contact.  "I'm going to need to buy some things for that, you know.  Chances are it'll have to be from Knockturn Alley though, Diagon probably won't have what I need…"

Lily shuddered at the very thought.  She knew that Knockturn Alley was probably one of the least safe places James could go, but also that it was of no use to argue with him about it.

James turned his attention back to Sirius.  "So who has Alastor recommended to replace me, anyhow?"

"Frank."

"Frank?  Frank Longbottom?"

"None other.  Apparently Dumbledore went to Moody with the suggestion before anyone even knew what was going on with you.  Frank has been looking for something new for a while now, and things just kind of worked out… He did score top marks in Defense Against the Dark Arts, and in most of his other classes at Hogwarts."

"I know…"

"Well, James, he was in for Head Boy until you swooped in there," Lily said.

"That's true, but still.  It's Frank!"  James was shaking his head in disbelief.

As the weeks passed, things started to settle down and gain some normalcy in the Potter household.  James was diligently working on setting up a laboratory in the basement while Lily was trying to make various improvements to the house.  It was during one of her cleaning spells that she ended up knocking on the laboratory door.

"James?" she called.  "Can I come in?"  For some reason though, there was no answer.  So, she knocked harder.  "James!  Are you ignoring me?"  She was growing annoyed now.  "Well fine then, I'm coming in!"  She threw the door open, expecting to find James in there, but so wrapped up in his work that he didn't notice her.  Instead, she found the room to be empty.  She looked around making sure that he wasn't in there, and then noticed something that was missing.  "The invisibility cloak…" she whispered. 

"There has got to be something around here somewhere," James whispered from under the protection of his invisibility cloak as he fumbled through various drawers and boxes in Lucious Malfoy's study.  "Where else could he be hiding these things…"  And then he heard a familiar voice.

"I'll just get that book for you then, shall I?" Narcissa Malfoy said with great sarcasm in her tone. 

James could hear her footsteps getting closer and hid himself under the desk, even though he was invisible. No sense in letting her bump into me, he thought to himself as Narcissa came clamoring into the study.

"Honestly, is that elf worth nothing around here?  Can't Dobby get anything right, ever?  We ought to sack that worthless elf one of these days…" she muttered to herself.  "Where is that blasted thing.  Oh, here it is!"  She grabbed something off of one of the shelves, and James saw that it was an old, leather-bound book.  Allowing his curiosity to get the better of him, he stepped out from under the desk and followed Narcissa through the door, which she had left open, and into the sitting room where she re-joined her husband.  She then heaved the book at Lucious Malfoy's chest.  "Here you go, darling," she said, glaring at him all the while.

"My dear, perhaps it would be best if you sat down and relaxed for a while.  We wouldn't want anything to happen to our dear baby before it's time," Lucious calmly told her as he opened the book. "You could end up like that mudblood Lily Potter, after all."

James had moved to an area behind Lucious so that he could see what was inside the book, but when he heard these words, it was almost too much for him.  James's eyes grew wide and he could feel himself beginning to fume at these horrible words.  No.  Don't attack.  Nothing will be solved by killing Lucious, no matter how tempting it may be…Just remain calm and in control…

"Honestly, Lucious.  Do you really think that I am that foolish?  Really…" 

"So sorry, my dear, to insinuate anything like that.  I was simply trying to point out that we must be careful with the actions you take now, given your fragile condition."

"The way you're talking you would think that I suffered from some sort of disease.  I'm pregnant, Lucious.  That's all!"

Deciding he had heard enough for now, James started to tiptoe away from Lucious and out of the room.  Before he did though, he saw Lucious pick up a quill and begin to write something in the book.  Even stranger though was the fact that the book was writing back.  Even though James wanted to stay and see what the book was saying, he thought it would be best to wait for another time.  He was certain that if anything else was said about Lily, or himself, that he wouldn't be able to control his actions.

When James finally apparated home, he found a distraught Lily waiting for him.  "Before you start, I just wanted to say I'm sorry, okay?"

"Where have you been?" she yelled.  "Do you have any idea how worried I was?  You didn't tell me that you were leaving, and then not only do you leave, but you take your invisibility cloak with you, so you could be doing god knows what, god knows where!  What if something happened to you?  What if you were rendered unconscious while wearing that cloak?  What then? Huh?  Any thoughts?"  James was about to say something but thought better of it.  "I didn't think so!  Don't you even care what happens to you?  Because for some reason, I certainly do!  And I refuse to raise a child alone, do you understand me?"

The expression on James's face suddenly changed.  "What did you say?" he asked cautiously.

Lily's face softened as well.  "I said I refuse to raise a child alone."

"You mean- So you're…" James stammered.

"Pregnant," Lily finished for him. "Yes, I am."

James fell down onto the chair that was luckily behind him.  "And everything is-"

"Perfect," Lily smiled.  "Couldn't be better."

James then jumped up and crossed over to Lily.  He lifted her in his arms and started spinning her around.  "We're going to have a baby!"

Lily was laughing and nodding.  "Yes, we are.  But, please, I beg of you. Put me down."

"Right, right, of course."  James set Lily down on the couch.  "How long have you known?"

"Not very.  A couple of weeks now, I suppose."

"And you didn't say anything?"

"Well, you've had a lot on your mind, and I wanted to be completely sure.  Yesterday, that's where I went, to the doctor I mean."

"Lil, that's just, I mean, I can't believe it!  This is perfect!"  James took the seat next to Lily on the couch and gave her a kiss.  "Things are definitely looking up…"

"I know," she agreed.  She kissed his cheek.  "So, what would you like to do tonight?"

"I have no idea…"

"Lil, that's just, I mean, I can't believe it! This is perfect!" James took the seat next to Lily on the couch and gave her a kiss. "Things are definitely looking up…"

"I know," she agreed. She kissed his cheek. "So, what would you like to do tonight?"

"I have no idea…"

Lily and James ended up sitting on the couch in those same spots for most of the night talking about and planning for their new baby. In fact, it wasn't until dawn that they decided to head up to bed.

"James?" Lily said as they walked up the stairs to their bedroom.

"Yes, baby?"

"Can we not tell anyone about the baby just yet? I mean, just in case…"

James kissed the top of her head. "Nothing is going to happen this time. I will personally see to it."

Lily climbed into the bed and was followed by James. "I hope not. I just don't think I could handle going through that again…"

"You're not going to have to. It'll be fine. Just wait and see." He kissed her again. "Night, baby." James then scrunched down on the bed and kissed Lily's stomach. "Goodnight to you too."

Lily couldn't help but smile, and nor could James.

It was now the middle of November, Halloween had come and gone, the holiday season was fast approaching, but none of this had any effect on Lily.  Instead, Lily found herself rushing to get ready to meet Jem for lunch.  Today, Lily decided, was the day that she would inform Jem of her pregnancy.  It was very surprising that she and James had managed to keep it a secret for this long, and she thought she might burst if she didn't tell her best friend before the holidays.

"James?" Lily called.

"Yeah, baby?"

"I'm leaving now!"

"Alright, have fun and good luck!"

"Be good and don't get into any trouble while I'm gone!"  Lily didn't wait for his response.  Instead, she disapparated to Diagon Alley where she would meet Jem.

"There you are!" Jem said, standing up from the table outside of The Ostrich Feather, a small café. 

"Hello to you too!" Lily giggled.

"You look fabulous, darling, simply fabulous," Jem told Lily, putting on fake airs. The two friends kissed each other's cheeks and then sat down.

"I am famished!" Lily said as she opened the menu.  "What sounds good…"

The two friends chatted for a bit until their waiter came by and took their orders.  It was when Jem reached for her glass of water that Lily noticed something new on her wrist.

Lily pointed to Jem's charm bracelet.  "Where'd you get that one?" 

Jem blushed slightly, but quickly recovered.  "It's kind of a long story.  Anyway, how are things going?  Is everything alright with James not working?"

Lily rolled her eyes.  "He's just being himself.  Still getting into plenty of trouble without meaning to.  And then Sirius brings him in on these meetings.  It can't be good, but hopefully it'll all turn out well."

The waiter then came by with their food and, after thanking him for it, Lily and Jem continued to talk while eating.

"How are things going with Sirius?" Lily asked.

"Quite well actually.  He's really good with Aaron too, but not nearly as good with him as Remus is.  It's surprising how close those two are."

And then, it happened.

"I have something to tell you," Lily blurted out at the exact same time that Jem said "The most amazing thing has happened."

The girls looked at each other and started to laugh.  "You first," said Jem.

"No, you," Lily insisted.

"Sirius proposed."

"I'm pregnant."

"What!" they both exclaimed.

They both sat there silently for a few minutes, each eying the other, waiting for her to speak.  Finally though, Jem broke the silence.

"So, we were out to dinner a couple of weeks ago, and it was just really sweet and romantic.  You know, candles, nice bottle of wine, things like that.  When dessert came, he pulled out a gift box.  Inside it, there was this charm.  At first I just thought it was sweet, you know, a little silver flower.  But then he said to open it.  I didn't know how, of course, so he had to show me, and look at it!  Isn't it beautiful?"  Jem took off her bracelet and held out the charm for Lily to see.  Quietly she whispered something, and to Lily's amazement, the charm did in fact open.

Lily nodded.  "It really is."  The charm was in the shape of a small silver rosebud, but, when opened, you could see the rose in full bloom, with its petals made of rubies.  "How does it work though?"

"Apparently it's a charm, no pun, that has been in Sirius's family for generations.  He said that his grandmother gave it to him on her deathbed, saying to give it to the woman he loves.  Just a simple incantation…"

Smiling, Lily said "It was only a matter of time before we saw how sentimental Sirius could be."

"It really was incredibly sweet.  And how could I say no?  Why would I say no?  Anyhow, enough about me.  Tell me about the baby!  When are you due?  Is James alright with this?"

"Well, I'm due in July, and James and I are both thrilled.  You're really the only person besides us, and Gran of course, who knows.  We just thought it might be best to wait, you know?"

Jem knew all too well how hard things were for Lily and James.  "Of course," she nodded.

"Anyway, we've decided that it should be alright to start telling people now.  Precautions will be taken, of course, but soon enough it will be a hard thing to hide."

"Well, despite everything else, I do hope that Sirius and I are as happy as you and James are."

Lily smiled.  "We work hard at that, you know."  She winked at Jem.  "So tell me, when are you planning on getting married?"

"We were thinking of waiting for the spring."

"Oh, definitely.  I can just see you having a beautiful April wedding, with all of the new flowers… it will be perfect!"

"That's exactly what I was thinking."  Jem smiled at her friend.  "Oh! And speaking of weddings, I have something for you!"  Lily gave her a puzzled look as she pulled out a narrow box, wrapped in silver paper.  "This is for you and James, I know it's not much, but still…"

"Oh, Jem! You didn't have to do this."

"Rubbish!  How many times do you get to celebrate your first anniversary?  Just don't open it until you get home and James is there too."

"I promise."

Lily could hardly wait to get home and open up the gift with James.  As soon as she arrived home she called out for him.  "James?  Where are you?"

"I'm upstairs!  Down in a minute!"

"Hurry!"

"Alright, I'm here.  What's so urgent?" James asked.

"Look!  It's our first anniversary present!"  Lily's eyes were bright with excitement.  "Let's open it."

James slid into the seat next to her on the couch and kissed the top of her head.  "Let's see what it is," he smiled.