Chapter 2~
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James carried Harry up the stairs to his room. The little boy had already fallen asleep in his father's arms. James placed Harry in his crib and placed a blanket over him. Harry sighed and curled his tiny fist around the end of his blanket. James smiled warmly at his son. Using his wand, he prodded little moons and stars on Harry's ceiling to make them shine softly. James raised his wand to then extinguish the candles floating in the room when a shudder ran through the house, making James' hair stand on end. Harry wailed and sat up. James ran over and put his son back down. Harry would have none of it though. He looked terrified, yet didn't cry out again. James stepped out into the hallway to get Lily.
Lily backed straight into James. Fear was written all over her face.
"James," she cried, in a low hoarse whisper. "Something. or someone. is down there."
"I know," James said, pulling Lily close, trying to act brave, but was feeling far from it. That shudder, it wasn't just the wind. It was a surge of power. In his heart, James knew exactly what had happened. They had been found out.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lily shot straight up in bed, not an easy feat for a woman eight months pregnant. James was already up; Lily could hear bacon sizzling downstairs. She quickly made the bed and hopped into the shower. It was a beautiful June morning, bright and sunny, quite unlike the typical cold, wet days in England. Perfect weather for a perfect day- Lily was finally graduating from the Auror Academy. Next week, she would begin her duties and also be interviewed for the Order of the Phoenix. Lily could hardly wait. James was anxiously awaiting his owl from the ministry that would tell him whether he had made it into the Order or not. Remus and Sirius would be interviewed next week as well, in their own respective Auror branches.
Lily got dressed in her favorite bottle-green dress robes that matched her eyes perfectly (Lily had performed a simple Alteration charm that had enlarged the robes due to her baby). She grabbed her black trainee robes with the silver Auror Academy insignia, and headed downstairs.
"Morning Lils!" James exclaimed cheerfully as Lily entered the kitchen.
"Good morning James," Lily replied, planting a kiss on James' lips.
Suddenly there was a loud pop. And another. James leaped at the frying pan, thinking it was the bacon.
"Good morning chaps!" said a loud voice. Sirius came striding into the kitchen, Remus a step behind him. "How's the old girl?" he said, slapping Lily lightly on the back. "Sirius, I'm not a cow," Lily said laughing.
"Right you are! James! G'day guv'nah!" Sirius said cheekily.
"Hello Lily," Remus said embracing her. "All excited about graduating and joining our ranks?"
"Oh, yes, I-"
"Well of course Remus, what did you think, she wants to stay at the Academy? Come on Moony, I thought you're smarter that! By the way Lily let me the first to say that those robes look absolutely smashing on you," Sirius said.
"He means what's under the robes," Remus muttered.
"Oh, now you've gone too far!" Sirius exclaimed, jumping up and charging at Remus, who ducked and spun out of the way. Sirius tripped over a chair and landed in a heap on the floor.
"I'm alright," Sirius said jumping up quickly, as James snorted into his tea. "Say Lily, how's Little Sirius Potter coming along?"
"Sirius for the one millionth time, the baby is not going to be called LITTLE SIRIUS POTTER!" James yelled.
"Calm down, calm down Prongs, only joking. my, Lily, it must be hard living with a husband who PMS's," Sirius grinned.
"PADFOOT!"
"Alright, alright, I'm serious now, I'm sorry. I say, do I smell something burning?"
"Bacon!" James leaped at the frying pan yet again, seizing the now extra- crispy, blackened bacon.
Lily rolled her eyes at Sirius and Remus as James scampered around the kitchen, trying to come up with breakfast. Finally they all sat down to eat. Suddenly they were interrupted by another popping noise ("It had better not be the ruddy bacon!"), this time coming from the direction of the fireplace. Frank Longbottom's head had appeared, and James jumped up to go over and talk with him.
"James, how are you?" Frank said. "Where's Lily? Just want to congratulate her." Lily stood up and walked over to the fireplace. Remus and Sirius also walked over.
"Hello Lily, Sirius, Remus," Frank's head nodded to each of them in turn. "Congratulations on graduating and making it in!"
"Thanks Frank, aren't you coming to the ceremony though?" Lily said.
"Oh, we'll try to make it. Margo just stumbled out of bed now; she overslept. We were out at Mundungus' house last night; he had a party going. Anyway, we got home really late, so that's why we're just getting up. I think Margo has a slight hangover, so I'd better go whip up something for that. Just wanted to pop in and tell you congratulations Lily! We hope you make it into the Order!"
"Thanks Frank! Give my best to Margo! I hope she feels better!" Lily replied.
"See you at work," James said.
"Bye, hopefully we'll make it to the ceremony in time!" Frank said, and with a pop he was gone. Sirius had sat back down at the table and was wolfing down the bacon. The others turned around to see Sirius guiltily setting the last piece of bacon back down on the plate. Grinning goofily, he offered the plate around.
"Bacon anyone?"
* * *
". . . These students have trained long and hard these past three years," the Headmaster of the Auror Academy, Archie Whittle, was saying. "They have spent hours in the simulator, more hours watching our Aurors in action, even more hours cramming for exams, and they have finally made it. I'm proud to present to you the Auror Academy Class of 1980!"
The class stood, as the crowd clapped and cheered.
"Students, when I call your name, would you please come forward to receive your diplomas and upcoming assignments. Also, hand over your black trainee robes, and receive your official Auror robes.
"Dennis Andrews!" The crowd applauded as Dennis stepped forward, shook hands with the professors (grimacing slightly at Professor Gortar's bubbling hand), and handed in his black robes for the deep, midnight blue robes with the golden Auror insignia. As he slipped into his new robes, Professor Whittle came forward and handed him his diploma and assignments.
"Markus Atley!" Professor Whittle called out next.
Lily sighed as she watched Markus bound up the steps to the stage. She couldn't believe that she was finally graduating. Why, oh why must they go in alphabetical order? Why couldn't they go backwards and start with Melinda Zorcer? 'Great name,' Lily thought to herself. 'I would hate to be at the end for everything.' She should've gone through with her Auror training before marrying James- they would've gotten to 'Lily Evans' a lot sooner than they would 'Lily Potter.'
Lily nervously tapped her foot and crossed her arms. Then uncrossed them. Then crossed them again.
'How much longer?'
* * *
James sat with Remus and Sirius watching student after student file up and receive his or her robe, diploma, and assignments. He could see Lily from here, and she looked impatient. He knew how long she had had to wait for this day- longer than some of her friends because she was out often at the beginning of her pregnancy. Between doctor's visits and morning sickness (Lily hadn't even been able to keep an anti-morning sickness potion down) she had missed quite a bit of school. Not to mention some physical training days when she just got too big and it would've endangered the baby as well. However, since she was going into the Strategist/Analyst Auror field, she didn't need as many of those hours. She would continue some physical training after the baby was born.
James felt a tap on his shoulder. Turning around, he saw Frank and Margo Longbottom slide into the seats behind him.
"Hi Frank, Margo," James said. "How are you?"
"I've been better," Margo said. "Frank gave me a potion for my hangover, but either it's not working, or it's taking a really long time to take effect."
"Have they called her yet?" Frank asked.
"No, they're only in the G's right now," James said.
"Looks like we're going to be here awhile," Sirius added.
"Wonderful," Margo added, looking a little paler. "Don't get me wrong James, I'm so happy for Lily. Normally, I'd be able to make it through this. But my stomach's rebelling today."
"I'm sorry Margo," Remus said sympathetically.
"Hey Margo, if you're going to puke, turn to the side so you don't ruin my robes," Sirius said.
"Sirius Black!"
"Padfoot!"
"Shhhh!" said a wizard usher in the aisle.
"Just like old times, huh Prongs, Moony?" Sirius whispered. "Still getting in trouble at assemblies." James lightly punched Sirius' arm. Remus just rolled his eyes.
"All right, I'll shut up," Sirius said, folding his arms and leaning back in his seat.
Professor Whittle droned on and on, naming student after student as they graduated and were made official. Finally he made it to the 'P's'
"Sarah Peters!"
"Thomas Peterson!"
"Donald Pollard!"
"Lily Potter!"
"There she is! There she is!" Sirius exclaimed as Lily stood up and began to make her way towards the stage. James was beaming with pride, while trying to push Sirius aside for a better view of his wife. Remus had a camera with him and was trying to snap a picture of Lily.
"Oh, I think I'm going to cry," Sirius said, pulling out a humongous handkerchief.
"Shut up, Padfoot," James said, shoving Sirius over.
"Frank," Margo said, her voice shaky.
"Would you move?" Remus muttered irritably to Sirius as Lily started shaking the hands of all the professors.
"Frank," Margo said again, more urgently.
"What is it, Margo?" Frank asked quickly.
"She's gonna blow!" Sirius said a little too loudly.
"Quiet!" snapped a wizard usher.
"Move!" snarled Margo as she began climbing over people, her face as white as a sheet.
"Not on me Margo," Sirius said turning around.
"Sirius Black." Margo glared.
"SHUT UP PADFOOT!" James yelled as Lily received her diploma and assignments.
"Picture!" Remus said jumping up.
Suddenly Margo pitched forward and bent over, vomiting. Frank dove to catch her, knocking James into Sirius. Remus spun around to tell them to be quiet, when Sirius and James lost their balance, falling backwards across the seats and knocking into Frank, who landed into the lap of a huge, unpleasant looking wizard. Sirius grabbed at Remus' arm to pull himself up. Remus' finger depressed the button and got a picture of the whole comical scene - Margo doubled over, Frank looking uneasily at the face of a rather mean looking man, and Sirius and James tangled up, sprawled across the seats.
"Get off me, Padfoot!" James said, pushing Sirius off of him.
"Going!" Sirius said, jumping up. Frank jumped off the man, muttering apologies, and helping up Margo. Remus sank into his seat, bemoaning the ruined moment.
"Now we've missed it!" James said, facing the stage in time to see Lily returning to her seat.
* * *
"Lily Potter!"
Lily rose from her seat, beaming with pride. She had finally made it! As soon as she made it across the stage she would be a full-fledged Auror! Lily made her way up to the stage to the sounds of the audience applauding. She climbed up the stairs, and began shaking the hands of her professors. The applause slowly died away, and she could hear people scuffling in the audience. Were people actually fighting out there? Lily paused a moment, and turned around to see Remus standing up, trying to get a picture, Frank trying to help Margo, who was fighting people to get out of her row of seats. Sirius and James were elbowing each other. Lily rolled her eyes and grinned, then proceeded to Professor Whittle to receive her diploma.
"Congratulations Lily," Professor Whittle said, giving Lily a warm smile.
"Thank you very much Professor," Lily said breathlessly, handing over he black trainee robes and receiving her new midnight blue robes, diploma, and assignments.
"Good luck," the professor said, winking at her.
Lily smiled back and turned around to walk back to her seat. She saw a light go off, and a heap of people together, where James had been sitting.
'Great,' she thought to herself, as wizards rushed over to help. 'What have they done now?'
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
James carried Harry up the stairs to his room. The little boy had already fallen asleep in his father's arms. James placed Harry in his crib and placed a blanket over him. Harry sighed and curled his tiny fist around the end of his blanket. James smiled warmly at his son. Using his wand, he prodded little moons and stars on Harry's ceiling to make them shine softly. James raised his wand to then extinguish the candles floating in the room when a shudder ran through the house, making James' hair stand on end. Harry wailed and sat up. James ran over and put his son back down. Harry would have none of it though. He looked terrified, yet didn't cry out again. James stepped out into the hallway to get Lily.
Lily backed straight into James. Fear was written all over her face.
"James," she cried, in a low hoarse whisper. "Something. or someone. is down there."
"I know," James said, pulling Lily close, trying to act brave, but was feeling far from it. That shudder, it wasn't just the wind. It was a surge of power. In his heart, James knew exactly what had happened. They had been found out.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lily shot straight up in bed, not an easy feat for a woman eight months pregnant. James was already up; Lily could hear bacon sizzling downstairs. She quickly made the bed and hopped into the shower. It was a beautiful June morning, bright and sunny, quite unlike the typical cold, wet days in England. Perfect weather for a perfect day- Lily was finally graduating from the Auror Academy. Next week, she would begin her duties and also be interviewed for the Order of the Phoenix. Lily could hardly wait. James was anxiously awaiting his owl from the ministry that would tell him whether he had made it into the Order or not. Remus and Sirius would be interviewed next week as well, in their own respective Auror branches.
Lily got dressed in her favorite bottle-green dress robes that matched her eyes perfectly (Lily had performed a simple Alteration charm that had enlarged the robes due to her baby). She grabbed her black trainee robes with the silver Auror Academy insignia, and headed downstairs.
"Morning Lils!" James exclaimed cheerfully as Lily entered the kitchen.
"Good morning James," Lily replied, planting a kiss on James' lips.
Suddenly there was a loud pop. And another. James leaped at the frying pan, thinking it was the bacon.
"Good morning chaps!" said a loud voice. Sirius came striding into the kitchen, Remus a step behind him. "How's the old girl?" he said, slapping Lily lightly on the back. "Sirius, I'm not a cow," Lily said laughing.
"Right you are! James! G'day guv'nah!" Sirius said cheekily.
"Hello Lily," Remus said embracing her. "All excited about graduating and joining our ranks?"
"Oh, yes, I-"
"Well of course Remus, what did you think, she wants to stay at the Academy? Come on Moony, I thought you're smarter that! By the way Lily let me the first to say that those robes look absolutely smashing on you," Sirius said.
"He means what's under the robes," Remus muttered.
"Oh, now you've gone too far!" Sirius exclaimed, jumping up and charging at Remus, who ducked and spun out of the way. Sirius tripped over a chair and landed in a heap on the floor.
"I'm alright," Sirius said jumping up quickly, as James snorted into his tea. "Say Lily, how's Little Sirius Potter coming along?"
"Sirius for the one millionth time, the baby is not going to be called LITTLE SIRIUS POTTER!" James yelled.
"Calm down, calm down Prongs, only joking. my, Lily, it must be hard living with a husband who PMS's," Sirius grinned.
"PADFOOT!"
"Alright, alright, I'm serious now, I'm sorry. I say, do I smell something burning?"
"Bacon!" James leaped at the frying pan yet again, seizing the now extra- crispy, blackened bacon.
Lily rolled her eyes at Sirius and Remus as James scampered around the kitchen, trying to come up with breakfast. Finally they all sat down to eat. Suddenly they were interrupted by another popping noise ("It had better not be the ruddy bacon!"), this time coming from the direction of the fireplace. Frank Longbottom's head had appeared, and James jumped up to go over and talk with him.
"James, how are you?" Frank said. "Where's Lily? Just want to congratulate her." Lily stood up and walked over to the fireplace. Remus and Sirius also walked over.
"Hello Lily, Sirius, Remus," Frank's head nodded to each of them in turn. "Congratulations on graduating and making it in!"
"Thanks Frank, aren't you coming to the ceremony though?" Lily said.
"Oh, we'll try to make it. Margo just stumbled out of bed now; she overslept. We were out at Mundungus' house last night; he had a party going. Anyway, we got home really late, so that's why we're just getting up. I think Margo has a slight hangover, so I'd better go whip up something for that. Just wanted to pop in and tell you congratulations Lily! We hope you make it into the Order!"
"Thanks Frank! Give my best to Margo! I hope she feels better!" Lily replied.
"See you at work," James said.
"Bye, hopefully we'll make it to the ceremony in time!" Frank said, and with a pop he was gone. Sirius had sat back down at the table and was wolfing down the bacon. The others turned around to see Sirius guiltily setting the last piece of bacon back down on the plate. Grinning goofily, he offered the plate around.
"Bacon anyone?"
* * *
". . . These students have trained long and hard these past three years," the Headmaster of the Auror Academy, Archie Whittle, was saying. "They have spent hours in the simulator, more hours watching our Aurors in action, even more hours cramming for exams, and they have finally made it. I'm proud to present to you the Auror Academy Class of 1980!"
The class stood, as the crowd clapped and cheered.
"Students, when I call your name, would you please come forward to receive your diplomas and upcoming assignments. Also, hand over your black trainee robes, and receive your official Auror robes.
"Dennis Andrews!" The crowd applauded as Dennis stepped forward, shook hands with the professors (grimacing slightly at Professor Gortar's bubbling hand), and handed in his black robes for the deep, midnight blue robes with the golden Auror insignia. As he slipped into his new robes, Professor Whittle came forward and handed him his diploma and assignments.
"Markus Atley!" Professor Whittle called out next.
Lily sighed as she watched Markus bound up the steps to the stage. She couldn't believe that she was finally graduating. Why, oh why must they go in alphabetical order? Why couldn't they go backwards and start with Melinda Zorcer? 'Great name,' Lily thought to herself. 'I would hate to be at the end for everything.' She should've gone through with her Auror training before marrying James- they would've gotten to 'Lily Evans' a lot sooner than they would 'Lily Potter.'
Lily nervously tapped her foot and crossed her arms. Then uncrossed them. Then crossed them again.
'How much longer?'
* * *
James sat with Remus and Sirius watching student after student file up and receive his or her robe, diploma, and assignments. He could see Lily from here, and she looked impatient. He knew how long she had had to wait for this day- longer than some of her friends because she was out often at the beginning of her pregnancy. Between doctor's visits and morning sickness (Lily hadn't even been able to keep an anti-morning sickness potion down) she had missed quite a bit of school. Not to mention some physical training days when she just got too big and it would've endangered the baby as well. However, since she was going into the Strategist/Analyst Auror field, she didn't need as many of those hours. She would continue some physical training after the baby was born.
James felt a tap on his shoulder. Turning around, he saw Frank and Margo Longbottom slide into the seats behind him.
"Hi Frank, Margo," James said. "How are you?"
"I've been better," Margo said. "Frank gave me a potion for my hangover, but either it's not working, or it's taking a really long time to take effect."
"Have they called her yet?" Frank asked.
"No, they're only in the G's right now," James said.
"Looks like we're going to be here awhile," Sirius added.
"Wonderful," Margo added, looking a little paler. "Don't get me wrong James, I'm so happy for Lily. Normally, I'd be able to make it through this. But my stomach's rebelling today."
"I'm sorry Margo," Remus said sympathetically.
"Hey Margo, if you're going to puke, turn to the side so you don't ruin my robes," Sirius said.
"Sirius Black!"
"Padfoot!"
"Shhhh!" said a wizard usher in the aisle.
"Just like old times, huh Prongs, Moony?" Sirius whispered. "Still getting in trouble at assemblies." James lightly punched Sirius' arm. Remus just rolled his eyes.
"All right, I'll shut up," Sirius said, folding his arms and leaning back in his seat.
Professor Whittle droned on and on, naming student after student as they graduated and were made official. Finally he made it to the 'P's'
"Sarah Peters!"
"Thomas Peterson!"
"Donald Pollard!"
"Lily Potter!"
"There she is! There she is!" Sirius exclaimed as Lily stood up and began to make her way towards the stage. James was beaming with pride, while trying to push Sirius aside for a better view of his wife. Remus had a camera with him and was trying to snap a picture of Lily.
"Oh, I think I'm going to cry," Sirius said, pulling out a humongous handkerchief.
"Shut up, Padfoot," James said, shoving Sirius over.
"Frank," Margo said, her voice shaky.
"Would you move?" Remus muttered irritably to Sirius as Lily started shaking the hands of all the professors.
"Frank," Margo said again, more urgently.
"What is it, Margo?" Frank asked quickly.
"She's gonna blow!" Sirius said a little too loudly.
"Quiet!" snapped a wizard usher.
"Move!" snarled Margo as she began climbing over people, her face as white as a sheet.
"Not on me Margo," Sirius said turning around.
"Sirius Black." Margo glared.
"SHUT UP PADFOOT!" James yelled as Lily received her diploma and assignments.
"Picture!" Remus said jumping up.
Suddenly Margo pitched forward and bent over, vomiting. Frank dove to catch her, knocking James into Sirius. Remus spun around to tell them to be quiet, when Sirius and James lost their balance, falling backwards across the seats and knocking into Frank, who landed into the lap of a huge, unpleasant looking wizard. Sirius grabbed at Remus' arm to pull himself up. Remus' finger depressed the button and got a picture of the whole comical scene - Margo doubled over, Frank looking uneasily at the face of a rather mean looking man, and Sirius and James tangled up, sprawled across the seats.
"Get off me, Padfoot!" James said, pushing Sirius off of him.
"Going!" Sirius said, jumping up. Frank jumped off the man, muttering apologies, and helping up Margo. Remus sank into his seat, bemoaning the ruined moment.
"Now we've missed it!" James said, facing the stage in time to see Lily returning to her seat.
* * *
"Lily Potter!"
Lily rose from her seat, beaming with pride. She had finally made it! As soon as she made it across the stage she would be a full-fledged Auror! Lily made her way up to the stage to the sounds of the audience applauding. She climbed up the stairs, and began shaking the hands of her professors. The applause slowly died away, and she could hear people scuffling in the audience. Were people actually fighting out there? Lily paused a moment, and turned around to see Remus standing up, trying to get a picture, Frank trying to help Margo, who was fighting people to get out of her row of seats. Sirius and James were elbowing each other. Lily rolled her eyes and grinned, then proceeded to Professor Whittle to receive her diploma.
"Congratulations Lily," Professor Whittle said, giving Lily a warm smile.
"Thank you very much Professor," Lily said breathlessly, handing over he black trainee robes and receiving her new midnight blue robes, diploma, and assignments.
"Good luck," the professor said, winking at her.
Lily smiled back and turned around to walk back to her seat. She saw a light go off, and a heap of people together, where James had been sitting.
'Great,' she thought to herself, as wizards rushed over to help. 'What have they done now?'
