The one where the Minister of Magic could start a petting zoo
'Oh James, I am so sorry,' Lily said, squeezing her husband's hand.
James' other hand shook as he held out the crisp parchment to her. The shining words told her that earlier that night Annabel and Robert had been killed. Not just killed, but murdered, cursed. Voldemort had attacked the Potter's Summerhouse and killed James' parents.
'Why would he do this?' His voice was broken and he hugged Lily to his body. 'Why? Why doesn't he just kill me and get it over with?'
'Because he wants you to become this, James. He wants you to want death with all your soul, until you are begging him to kill you.'
'I want to be dead right now. You-Know-Who can curse me right on the spot.' He stalked into the opposite room. Lily followed.
'James Potter, you can not let him get to you.' Her face was turning red. 'I loved your parents like they were my own and I can say that they would never want you to become suicidal over them. You have responsibilities. You have friends that love you and need your support, your job is to put You-Know-Who in Azkaban, you have a wife that needs you to help her through her teaching exams and,' her voice softened as she walked over and pressed his hand to her protruding belly. 'You have a child that wants to know his father.
James sighed and stroked the back of her hand. 'I know, Lils.' He kissed her tenderly.
Lily rested her forehead against his. 'There are no secrets between us, are there?'
'None. Our wedding day was not normal.'
'Then you know...?'
'Yes, I know that we die.' His voice was heavy with regret. 'I know that Peter betrays us. I know that everyone blames Sirius. I know, Lily. I know.' James brushed away tears that started to fall on her cheeks. 'I wish for so many things and most of all I wish for Harry to live. That we can give him.'
'Mister Black, please behave yourself,' the stern nurse said, her voice raising. 'Mrs Potter does not need a ball of energy in her room when she is trying to rest. You may see her but do not be loud, do not...'
Sirius nodded as the nurse rambled on and on about the rules. He was itching to see Lily and little Harry, his godson. There was a tiny baby in the next room that was his godson. A goofy smile overcame his features. 'Yes ma'am. May I see them now?'
'Be gentle!' She said and opened the door.
Sirius held his breath and entered the room. A glowing, if exhausted, Lily lay in bed holding a small baby. James was sitting in a chair next to them, his face alight with amazement. 'Padfoot, come meet your godson.'
He walked forward and knelt by the bed. Lily put her hand in his hair, smiling. 'Harry James Potter, meet Sirius Andreas Black.'
Sirius gently stroked the baby's cheek, feeling the warmth and softness. 'He is so tiny.'
Lily grinned wearily. 'Didn't feel like that when I was pushing him out.'
He laughed and stood. His eyes met with James and they hugged. In spite of all the death that Voldemort wasn't raining down on then, in spite of the heartache James and Lily had felt earlier that month, life and love had still managed to find a way out. 'I still can't believe you want me to be his godfather. I'm so...irresponsible.'
'You are my best friend, Padfoot. I trust you with more than my life, I trust you with every member of my family's life.'
Sirius smiled at James and suddenly remembered his gift. Out of his large cloak, he brought a scarlet blanket trimmed with gold. At the edge there were golden words embroidered.
Son of Lily Emily Evans and James Robert Potter
May you never forget the ideals held by Godric Gryffindor
Bravery, Courage and Compassion.
'Oh, Padfoot, it is beautiful.' Lily said, feeling the beautiful material. 'Thank you.'
'Thank you for trusting me enough to let me be his godfather.' He didn't think he would ever get over the shock.
A soft voice at the door made them all turn. Remus stood there, grinning from ear to ear. 'Is it safe to come in? I was told there were an awful lot of curse words coming out of this particular room.'
Lily smiled. 'Come in, Moony.'
The werewolf entered and gazed upon the form in the bed. Lily looked gorgeous, her hair falling over the white pillow, her eyes shining with happiness. His breath caught in his throat and any words he was going to say went straight out of his mind.
'Remus, meet my son.' James said, tugging at Remus' coat. He let himself to be brought over to the bed and the baby placed in his arms.
'He's so light.' He managed to murmur.
Peter walked in at that moment, Alexia following. 'He-hello everyone.'
'Oh, Lily! He is so beautiful. Well, what else could you expect from the son of James and Lily Potter? Oh look, he has your eyes and James'...well, James' everything else.' Alexia was talking at a thousand miles an hour. She walked the distance between the door and Remus and started gushing over the baby.
James placed an arm around his wife and felt her rest her head against him. She was struggling to stay awake, and he noticed. 'Friends, I believe that both son and mother have been through quite a bit tonight. Do you think it would be possible if you could come back when they are both less tired?'
'Of course, James--'
'How rude of us--'
'Sorry, Lils--'
'I'll be going right now--'
Their friends began apologizing and excusing themselves instantly. Soon, only James, Lily and Harry remained in the room. Prongs kissed her forehead and placed their son in the crib next to the bed. 'You are to get some sleep.'
'Yes,' Lily yawned widely, 'sir.'
Ginny stood on the well-manicured lawn, the wind tugging at her red hair and blowing it out of the hood she had tried desperately to contain it in. At her side were her son and Remus. Sirius was making sure there was no one in the house. Or, at least, no one who would disrupt them.
'Everyone is out. That huge ball the Ministry is holding is keeping everyone busy. That will make our plans far more easy.' Sirius reappeared from beneath the Invisibility Cloak. 'Have you got the rocks, Gins?'
Grinning at the new name, closely modeled on the old one, Ginny nodded, dumping a large sack full of rocks on the lawn. 'There are forty in all. Do you think we will have time to Transfigure them all?'
'No doubt. We are all good at Transfiguration.' Sirius brought out his wand. 'Remember, the grosser and more dangerous the animal, the better.'
'Yes, Professor.' Remus grumbled.
Suddenly Harry and Ginny were caught in how ridiculous the actual scene was. Professor Lupin and Professor Weasley, two Hogwarts teachers, Harry Potter, a world famous Auror and Sirius Black, a pardoned murderer, were going to Transfigure forty rocks into animals on the Minister of Magic's lawn. They had to hold their sides because of the laughter.
'Quit it, you too.' Sirius snapped, changing a stone into a large snake. 'Get to work.'
Ginny made a rock into a tiger and looked over at Remus. His brows were creased in concentration, and his tongue was between his teeth. He held his wand at shoulder height, Transfiguring the rock in his sight into a giant slug.
'That is disgusting, Moony.'
'Thank you.' He flashed a cute grin and she lowered her eyes to another rock.
Soon the pebbles and stones were all Transfigured. 'That was well done, people.' Sirius enthused. 'Fudge will get the shock of his life.' He laughed with glee.
'We should be heading back. If we're caught, no one will be able to save us.' Harry announced.
There were nods all round. Harry and Sirius Apparated back to their house, while Ginny and Remus Apparated to Hogsmeade.
'Wow, that was...wow.' Ginny laughed, her face flushed with the excitement. She pulled out a tiny, shivering weasel from her pocket and stroked the fur. 'Wasn't that fun, Petunia?' Ginny laughed again and put the animal back, brushed her hand on her jacket.
'Come on, Professor. Wouldn't want people to become suspicious.' Remus put an arm around her and led her to the Shrieking Shack.
It was when Ginny was in her bed, quilt up to her chin and the lights turned off that she finally admitted her feelings for Remus J. Lupin. Feeling much better for it, she giggled and tried to sleep.
Author's Notes: Umm, I don't think I have anything to add. Suddenly this feels like I am slowly marching up a hill. I hope it doesn't feel too forced to anyone who reads this. Oooh, we should have a vote on whether or not a reincarnation of James should appear or if Remus and Ginny should get together. Anyway, on to the replies!
Brianna Brantly: I didn't expect everyone to like the idea of Ginny being Harry's mum. In fact, the way I had the summary at the start, it was like...eugh, gross. Ginny is "technically" a year younger than Harry when she leaves 1996, but she is as old as him because of her use of the Time-Turner. She is one year older than Harry in 99 because she leaves in 81. I think.
adrilily: Thanks, it's still going. Just had a little problem with the net last night. Now I'm wired on some energy drink
Bluegirl18: No problemo on the review. Oh, I never knew how many people enjoyed Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy here on FF.net! I may have to put a quote in my story. "I bet today's Thursday."
Darth Flirt: Sorry this chapter took a little while. I couldn't get my brain into gear for a while, which wasn't a biggie until my internet stuffed up and I wanted to upload it! I so want Sirius' motorbike too!
Iselin: For a fleeting moment I was going to have Ginny pregnant with James' baby but then Luke (Shadowboy, writer of A Stitch In Time. This is not a plug, this is not a plug) and I both announced that it was far too cliché. I have to rewrite a Bittersweet Victory because it's just rambling on and on. It was my first attempt at a fanfic, and if I take a leaf out of Luke's book, I'll rewrite the first chapter several times a week, lol. Stevie and I are crazy and zany and we are far from normal. We have loads of these like catchphrases that we change every so often (which, for the life of me, I can't remember right now. Give me five minutes alone with her, lol). I'm glad you thought I kept Sirius in character. He reminds me of my dad a little bit. Remus is SO Sir Crig, lol. Ok, I kope you enjoyed this chapter!
Lucifer: Thanks! I hope you like this chapter!
oliverswife25: Mixed messages! Hmm, wouldn't it be SO cruel if James came back now? I think so anyway. I know that is probably what JKR would want, but I like Remus! He's sweet! Anyway, thanks!
Teri: I wouldn't want Harry and Ron to turn into mindless drunks. But maybe a line like that wouldn't hurt ;). If you like the flirting I'll probably have more in store! Thanks for reviewing!
Jen: Yeah, it sucks that James' is dead. He'd be cool. I have to continue...or else the monkeys Tiger Lily mentioned will get me ;)
Tiger Lily: Ack, I still have to r/r. I'll do that as soon as I upload this chapter. Those monkeys look hungry! I hope this is up to the standard I seem to have set!
Finally,: Thank you to any of you lazy buggers who read this story and don't review. I kid, I kid. I hope anyone who reads this enjoyed this chapter! *grins in a wolfish way and jumps out of the firing line*