***The Marauder Chronicles; the End of Innocence, is a fan fiction.  Events are not to be taken as true to those leading up to the Harry Potter series.  Some characters and locations belong to J.K. Rowling, while others belong to me.  No copyright infringement is intended.  This story is not to be replicated or sold.***

Note: I am introducing something at the end.  No, I don't know what it entails.  My editor believes I am setting myself up for contradiction, but I'm taking the risk.  I am planning on finishing this thing before OoTP, so it won' t matter anyway.  If I'm wrong (highly likely) please don't flood my inbox telling me I'm wrong after the 21st.  This story is full of my theories.  If I were certain about things, I would send it off to JK and tell her I'll spread the word unless she gives me the books.  Wouldn't that be nice?   Also, the ending of this story is coming soon and it's going to be devastatingly sad, so be ready for that.  If you haven't already done so, please swing by my other fan fiction, "The Human Condition."  Here's the chapter, hope you like it.

 SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1Six: Growing up

The apartment door swung open, and its first enterer walked in backwards, a camera to his eye.  He was giving instructions to someone who had not yet walked into the camera's view.

            "Are you ready?" Lily asked from behind the wall.

            "Yes.  Come ahead," James said.

            Lily walked inside.  Small Harry was tucked safely away in her arms, watching her face with wide eyes.

            "This is our home," James said, zooming in on his son.

            "He looks overwhelmed," Lily said. And truth be told, he looked a little unsure of all of this.  Though his head didn't move much, his eyes were darting all over the place, but they always came back to Lily.  "It's big isn't it?" she said to him.

            "Let's give him a tour of the place," James suggested, still walking backwards through the house.

            "This is the dining room," Lily said, showing Harry the table, "and the kitchen."

            "And this is where you were created," James said as he filmed the bedroom; Lily rolled her eyes and took him back out into the living room, where she sat with him on the couch.  "Daddy's silly," she said with a grin to Harry, who stared.

            "When did your parents say they were coming over?" James asked as he took one last shot of Harry before putting the camera down.

            "Some time this afternoon.  And Jade and Sirius are coming earlier, right?"

            "Something like that.  It's important that we space all these people out so he doesn't go crazy with all the attention he'll be getting," James said, taking a spot next to Lily.  "Are his eyes always going to be that color?"

            Lily shook her head.  "No, they'll change over a few months or so, maybe less than that.  All babies are born with this blue-gray color, aren't they?" she said, kissing Harry's small head.  "Yes they are," she said, kissing him again.  "Oh you smell so good, yes you do," she continued.

            James laughed.  "I suppose you won't be putting him down for a nap anytime soon?"

            "Not for a while," Lily told him in the same sweet tone.  James bent his head down and kissed Harry then Lily before going into the kitchen to get drinks.

*   *   *   *   *

Ashika Narayan walked up the stairs to her room, which was above her office.  Everyone in the Bureau suspected, but no one actually knew, that she lived here.  It wasn't a large place to live, but she was happy with it, as happy as she ever could be.  The main room was elliptical in shape, with a deep crimson red carpet, dull yellow candlelight, and bookshelves lining every wall.  But despite all the shelves, there wasn't enough room for all the books, for at least a hundred were littered all over the floor in untidy stacks.

            Ashika waved her left hand casually and classical music began to play from magical, invisible speakers set up around the room.  She strode over to her large desk, sat down, and put her feet up.

            "Screen," she said, folding her hands on the back of her head.  Instantly a large screen appeared just above her desk.  "England."  A simulation map appeared, showing icons on different parts of the country— places where they had camera surveillance.  "Birmingham," she said, and again the screen popped up with a simulated map showing Birmingham.  "The Potter's apartment."

            And, as requested, Lily and James's building appeared.  Then the screen automatically zoomed to one of their windows.  Ashika took her feet off her desk and pulled closer.  She lifted the right corner of her mouth as she stared.

            "Hello Harry," she said. 

            The screen showed several people, but they were all focused on Harry, who was sleeping for the time being.  Lily was still holding him, but what looked to be a friend of hers was touching him in a way that said, "I really want to hold him."

            "Identify," she said.  A rectangular section emerged inside the view screen.  It showed: "Yang, Jade.  Analyst, History and Intelligence Dept. Ministry of Magic;" there followed a list of reports she'd published, etc.  "Ah, Miss Yang, nice to see you again," Ashika said, taking a sip of her earl grey.  "And Sirius, you're looking uncomfortable.  Audio," she said.  She could then hear their voices.

            But she didn't know why she selected to hear them, for that wasn't what she desired.  Still, it proved quite entertaining.  Sirius stood with his arms crossed, but he kept edging nearer to Harry; Jade couldn't get close enough to the baby; James stood behind Lily with his arms around her waist, and Lily was cradling her son.  Everyone spoke in soothing tones, making it difficult to hear.

            "My, we are protective," Ashika said, watching Lily's unwillingness to hand Harry over to anyone.  "So how are you going to continue school?  This is going to be interesting.  Zoom," she said.  The screen then focused on young Harry, whose eyes were shut.  "Analyze," she commanded.

            Several different things happened then.  First, a second screen appeared to the right of its counterpart.  It filled with number charts: blood type, genetic codes; then a third screen materialized to the left of the center screen.  It showed Harry's name, then branched off to show James's name and the names of his parents. 

            Ashika examined the numbered display first.  She tapped her fingers on her desk then pursed her lips.  "Compile abilities based on genetics," she said to it.  She looked to her display to the far left where a family tree was in progress; Byron Potter and Samantha Kintz were awaiting instruction.  "Show me the Potter line first," she said, and immediately names started to branch off of Byron's quite rapidly.

            She finished her tea as the genetic analysis was complete.  A list of his eventual physical traits was listed, as well as several abilities he might possess if he was subject to certain conditions.  "Hello," she said as she drew closer.  Listed was an assortment of talents based primarily on his parentage.  "You have more than mommy's eyes...isn't that fascinating," but it wasn't a rhetorical question to herself.

            There was a loud beeping sound to her left; the family line was complete, or so it seemed.  Ashika frowned as she examined it.

            It read, "Error," then listed just one name, a female, at the top of the tree, but no male was listed as her mate.  "Eva Rochelle" stood alone with her daughter starting what would eventually become the Potter family.          

            "Give me the biographical information on Eva Rochelle," Ashika said.

            "Unable to comply," a voice said back.

            "Why not?" she asked with an edge in her tone.

            "Identity unknown."

            "What do you mean the identity is unknown?  She's right in front of me!  Fine, list Eva Rochelle's school records."

            "Unable to comply."

            "Is there an Eva Rochelle?" she asked.

            "Affirmative.  Eva Rochelle was born on April 28, 968."

            "Where did she attend school?" Ashika asked.

            "Unknown."

            "How is that possible?" she asked.

            "Records are unavailable."

            "If she was born, then she must have records somewhere," she said to herself.  "Where did she live?  Who were her parents?"

            "Unable to comply."

            Ashika slammed her fists on the desk and gritted her teeth.  "How were the records deleted?  It's impossible to delete records so where are they?"

            The screen went blank but was definitely doing something.  "Records were moved February 10, 1002.  Location unknown."

            She drummed her fingers, and tapped her feet.  "Is there anything significant to that date?" she asked.

            "Please specify," the voice said back.

            "What events happened on February 10, 1002?"

            Again the screen went blank.  "The Peace Treaty between the Warlock Convention and the Federation of Goblins was signed in London, England.  Sir Thomas Marx, first knighted wizard, was arrested for the possession and breeding of dragons without a license.  Beauxbatons Magical Academy hired new staff."

            "Dead end," she mumbled.  "Who are you Eva?"

*   *    *    *    *

The fifth of August, in the year nineteen hundred and eighty proved to be a rather warm day, with temperatures reaching into the mid eighties, which was high for England.  Still, the hot climate did not hinder human activity.

            Remus spent his day off with Sonja in Scotland, where her sister lived.  She wasn't as extreme as Sonja was, but she was just as friendly.  Remus enjoyed her company, but he soon felt like a third wheel when the two started giggling about past boyfriends.

            Peter spent his day furniture shopping with his mother, though he didn't know why he was there...she was doing all the ordering.  But it eventually got done, and at the end of the day he had some seriously repulsive pieces.

            Jade spent the morning in her art studio, a converted room in her small apartment, drawing on large slabs of paper with charcoal sticks.  Somehow a lot of the charcoal was smeared all over her increasingly sweaty face and on her fingers.  She abandoned the project in the afternoon to go to the pool and tan.

            Sirius took his motorcycle to a garage where he attempted to look like someone who knew what he was doing...though he really didn't.  He was able, however, to attract some female attention, probably due to his oil-stained tank-top, which showed his flexing biceps.  Several women walked by and admired his bike, but secretly, or not so secretly, admired his chiseled physique.  Incidentally, he scored three dates.

            And while most people that were on vacation were out in the sun enjoying the weather and having a good time, James and Lily spent all day inside.  Harry was mostly quiet for the time being, sleeping, but there were moments when both Lily and James could swear their spines had exploded.  Granted he didn't cry as often as they assumed he would, but when he did they would race to the nursery, not only to see what was wrong, but also to stop that crying.

            "This isn't bad at all," James said sarcastically as he looked at Harry. "How long is he going to scream like this?"

            Lily, who was jiggling Harry against her chest trying to calm him down, shook her head.  "Mum says a good four to five weeks.  But," she almost yelled, "he hardly ever does this.  He sleeps twenty hours a day."

            "It's a sound I don't wish to hear."

            "Too bad, this is what babies are all about.  I only wish I knew what he needs," she said, her face splashed with apprehension.  "I just fed him and he's dry.  God, do you think it's something I ate and now he can't handle it?  Is that what's wrong?" she asked Harry.

            He answered with more crying.

            "Shhhh," she said, patting his back.  "It's okay."

            "Let me try something," James said desperately.  Lily handed him over.  James lifted Harry into the air and started blowing in his face.  Lily was just about to tell him off, when Harry got quiet.  "Weird," James said.

            "Don't stop, though," Lily whispered.  "Keep doing it.  Make him go to sleep."  Harry didn't fall asleep right away, but he didn't cry again.  James had unlocked the secret, however, and he was quite pleased with himself.

            Several hours later, Jade, who seemed to be a frequent visitor now, came by.  She gave a quick greeting to James and Lily, but went straight for Harry, who was lying in the bassinet, awake but silent.

            "Hello Harry," she said in a soft, sweet tone.  "How's my favorite baby?"

            "He's been driving us crazy, but he just ate and probably needs to be burped.  Would auntie Jade like to burp him?"

            Jade's face lit up like a bon fire.  She didn't hesitate with the offer.  She hoisted Harry into the air, then held him to her chest.  "Oh he's so small," she said.  "I want him."

            "Sorry," James said, "you can't.  No amount of crying will ever get you that."

            Having herself somewhat freed, Lily walked into the kitchen and had her lunch, which had been prepared hours before.  She kept constant watch on Jade and Harry, however, who was ready to doze off again.

            "He looks like James," Jade said.  Harry looked up at her with droopy eyes, his breathing a little raspy.  "Sounds like him too.  Kidding," she said with a quick glance, though Lily winked to her.  "His hair's lying down flat, though."

            Lily swallowed a rather large bite.  "That's due to change, I'm sure."  After she wolfed down her sandwich in seconds, Lily informed them all that she was heading to bed for a nap.  James gave her a short kiss before she departed.

            "Power draining?" Jade asked him.

            "Well, yeah.  She's breast feeding, and I guess that's taking a lot of energy out of her.  Plus, she's doing all of these exercises so she can get back to her normal weight."

            "Yeah that would do it.  Women burn about 1,500 calories a day when breast feeding."

            "You know a lot about this kind of thing, don't you?" James asked her.

            She smiled then started to rock Harry back and forth.  "He's very cute for this age.  From the newborns I've seen, he's the best looking."

            "I'm sure he'll get over it," James replied.  "How's your job working out?"

            "Good, actually.  I've been writing so much lately, mostly reports, but it's rumored that I might get a promotion."

            "That's great!" James said.

            "Yeah it is.  But it's still only rumored.  Keep your fingers crossed.  If I get it then I'll get a really nice pay raise.  I'll be able to start saving for retirement."

            "Retirement?  Aren't you twenty years old?"

            "Yes, but it's never too early to start thinking about the future."

            "Right," James said, nodding his head.  He was going to ask about what kind of art she was working on, but Sirius was announced at the door.  James looked to Jade quickly and saw that she moved to the couch with Harry.  He let Sirius in.

            "Howdy," he said.  He looked a bit tan, especially when he wore his white tank top.

            "What's up?"

            "Oh just single stuff.  It's a pity you're married, James, because I landed three great looking women earlier this week."

            "Uh huh," James said, throwing Sirius a drink.

            "It's true.  I'm booked next week and the week after next, so don't ask me to go anywhere with you when you want to get away from the little woman."

            James chuckled.  "Are they smart?"

            "I have no idea, but I do know that they'll look great in a bikini."

            "That is the best recipe for loneliness I've ever heard," James commented.  "It's never too early to start thinking about the future, Sirius, and I know that one day you'll want to settle down and get married."

            Sirius stared at him then burst out laughing.  "Jade must come here a lot if you're talking like that.  She always spewed that information whenever she had the chance.  She'd just sit there and go on and on about saving money, and making babies, and getting married...yeah, you're sounding just like her my friend.  Be careful or you'll nag me to death and scare me away, too."  He enjoyed the sound of his own laughter for a very short time until he noticed James's blank expression.

            "What's the matter?" Sirius asked.

            "Is that what you think about my life?" he asked.  "Do you really think I'm a fool, Sirius?"

            He stopped grinning and set his drink back down on the counter.  "No."

            "No?  There will come a time in your life when you just might regret some of the things you've done.  Hot women in bikinis will make you happy to a point, but only for a short while.  If I've said it once I've said it one thousand times; you're a smart person, and you should see smart women.  Do you think you'll spend forever chasing skirts, or are you going to do something meaningful with your personal life?"

            Sirius stared at him with shock and awe.  "I don't know, I guess."

            "You know," James started, a funny sort of expression on his face, "I was real sorry when you lost Jade.  She loved you, she was leading you down a good path, she made you happy, she's smart, she's attractive, and she's very traditional.  There aren't very many women like her, not anymore at least.  Try asking other men what they want in a woman, and they'll describe someone like her.  She wanted happiness, marriage, children, all with you, more than she wanted any job.  Try finding someone else like that in a few years when you discover that you want to marry a woman like her.  These girls you've got dates with, they probably saw what most women see when they look at you: good looks, quick smile, verbal repartee...don't you think there's more to you than all of that?  I know there is.  It's a pity that you haven't figured that out."  James shook his head then left the kitchen for the living room.

            Sirius stared at the wall opposite him and let what his best friend said wash over him.  But then he heard James speak again.

            "I don't actually know.  They should be under the changing table unless we've run out already."

            "I'll go check for them," Jade said.  Sirius felt his stomach turn.  Had she heard the conversation they had just had?  Sirius got off of the stool and walked into the living room to find James following Jade into the nursery.  "Ah, wait," Jade said as she looked into the closet, "you've got extra in here.  You've never done this, have you?"

            "Nope," James said with a hint of glee.  "Don't have to."

            "I wondered if you'd remember that," she said.

            Sirius walked slowly into the doorway.  "Remembered what?" he asked.

            Jade turned around to see him, but didn't look surprised by his presence.  James wheeled around. 

            "Our little bet we placed two years ago," he said smirking.  "I won so I'm off diaper duty for three months."      

            "Oh, that," he said.  "Lily was gracious about it?"

            "No, but I didn't hesitate to point out that she would have made me go through with my end of the bargain if Harry had been Harriet."

            "It's a good thing you won," Sirius said.

            "I knew I would."

            "Changing isn't that big of a deal, you know," Jade said as she took off the very poopy diaper and threw it in the diaper bin.  "It doesn't smell."

            "Lily doesn't complain about the smell," James said.  "She complains about number one."

            "Why?" Jade asked, but at that very moment, she found out why.  As she put baby powder on Harry's small behind, a warm spout of urine shot up and hit her neck.  James and Sirius couldn't stop themselves from laughing as Jade's face changed from a loving expression to one of revulsion.

            "He peed on me!" she said, pulling her shirt away from her skin.

            "What's so funny?" Lily asked as she shuffled over to them.  "Why's everyone laughing so loud?"

            "Your son took dump on my shirt," Jade said.  Harry, however, was now moving his legs every which direction; the fresh diaper on the floor.

            "Oh," Lily said, not sounding at all surprised.  "Go into my closet and change shirts.  Did you pee pee on auntie Jade?" Lily asked Harry as she fastened a diaper on him.  "Did you?"

            "He's a good shot," Sirius said.

            "Yeah he is," Lily said.  She hoisted him back into the air and handed him to James.  "I'm sure he'll get you someday, Sirius."

            "I'm not changing him," he said.

            "Aren't you the godfather?" she asked.

            "...Yes."

            "Aren't you going to want to learn how to do some of the simple things?"

            "Do I?" he asked.

            "Yes," she said for him.  "I'm going back into our room to try sleeping again.  Try to keep it down, boys," she said before leaving.

            "Is this okay?" Jade asked, showing Lily a plain t-shirt.

            "That's fine," Lily yawned.  She flopped herself down on the bed and shut her eyes.

            "Lily," Jade said, sitting down, "you know that if you ever want help with him, you can call me whenever."

            Lily smiled but kept her eyes closed.  "I know," she sighed, "I don't need help right now, that's all.  I'm good..." she faded off then started breathing heavily.

            "You're not already asleep, are you?" Jade asked.  But Lily had fallen asleep, for now she was snoring.  "Okay," Jade said then took her leave.  She heard James and Sirius talking in the same tone they were using minutes ago, but she didn't strain to hear what they were saying.  Instead she walked back into the nursery to say her goodbyes.

            "Hey," she said, kissing Harry, "if you ever need a sitter, owl me," she said to James.  "I'll wear urine proof clothes next time."

            "I'm sure there's some kind of charm you can use to...prevent stains," James said uncertainly.

            "I'll look, but in the mean time I'll just try to steer clear of Ol' Faithful.  I'll see you later, James, take good care of them."

            "Always," he said.  "See ya."

            Jade left with a last wave.  They could hear the door shutting as she departed.

            "No, there wasn't any tension there," Sirius said sarcastically.  "I had no idea she was in here when you gave me your...lecture.  And what was that about anyway?"

            "Don't play dumb, Sirius," James said. 

            Sirius raised his eyebrows at James then made a choking sound.  "What has gotten into you?" he asked.  "Huh?  I mean suddenly you've become...you sound like my father or something.  You can't tell me how to live my life, James."

            "I'm not," James replied. 

            "What do you call it, then?  Why do you care if I actually have fun on a Friday night?"

            "What's that supposed to mean?"

            "Please," Sirius said, a little more irritable than he would have liked to sound.  "Look at you, James.  You're twenty years old, and you're tied down by not only your wife who demands personal gratification over your needs and wants, but you also now have a second chain," he said, signaling to Harry who was falling asleep in his father's arms.  "He's going to demand ten times the amount Lily will, and he won't do it on purpose.  You're twenty, and you can't think about yourself anymore.  Twenty.  I find no credibility for you to tell me about lifestyles when your idea of a good time is going to work to get away from your family."

            "That is not true," James said sternly.

            "What part?" Sirius asked.

            James hesitated.  Sirius closed the door to the nursery.  "How's your marriage, James, and I mean really?  Because the both of you are great at putting up these facades of happiness when you're around people, but let's break down for a second, since we're being honest with each other.  We're friends, right?  I mean you and I have been friends since before Jesus was born, so let's talk.  How's your marriage?"

            "Fine," he answered.

            "Really?  It's fine, just fine?  You've been married for two years and already it's fine?"

            "What do you know about a real commitment?"

            "No, no, no," Sirius said, grinning and shaking his head, "don't turn this around on me.  We're talking about you and Lily, not me.  We'll get there eventually, but let's play with one ball right now.  I have no doubt that you love her, okay, I've known that for years.  You have kissed the ground she walks on, given her everything, and hey, if it works for you then that's great.  But what has she given back?  That's what marriage is, right, give and take?  I'm seeing you give everything, a home, your love, your support, your patience, all your free time, your blessings for her schooling, a job that you say you didn't really want though I still have to wonder, and your soul.  And if it's going both ways, then I will admit that I am wrong and walk out that door as happy as I came in, but I don't think I am."

            James stared at him, an uncomfortable feeling welling up in his stomach.

            "What has she given you?" Sirius asked again.  "And don't get me wrong, okay, she's a good woman, and I consider her to be one of my best friends, but sometimes it's like she's treating you like a doormat, James.  So what has she done for you?"

            James opened his mouth to say something, but either the words got lost on their way up, or he didn't have a response.  He attempted to speak several times, but eventually he sighed and rolled his eyes.

            "Why are you doing this?" James asked, as he laid Harry back down in his crib.  "It's not always about me, Sirius."

            "No, I know that.  Ever since you hooked up with her, it's never been about you, always her.  You do what she wants you to do no matter what the price, and when you don't she hits you where it hurts.  I don't think she does it on purpose.  I think she's used to getting everything she wants.  But you have to take control at some point or you'll go insane.  I know I'm not an expert on marriage, and I'm not pretending to be, but the way this thing is going...she's taken total control.  I admit that the woman does seem to have the upper hand in many marriages, my parents and yours were the same way, but that doesn't mean she can treat you like this.  You're still part of the puzzle.  Every once in a while you've got to ask yourself what you want, not what would make her happy.  Because if you're not happy, she won't be, and he won't be," he said, pointing to Harry, "and you'll end up divorced with weekend custody of your toddler."

            James crossed his arms then started to pace.

            "I am serious, man, you have got to put your foot down for once.  Tell her no.  I know that deep down in that place where that rage comes from you want to say it.  I've seen you be assertive with people, so I know you can do it.  You have promised your life to her, and she has to you, so you owe it to the both of you to be honest with each other, or you'll ruin everything for your kid.  Stop thinking about her for a moment and start thinking about Harry.  Lily can take care of Lily, but he can't take care of himself, and he needs both of his parents to get their marriage in place before they can take good care of him."

            "There is nothing wrong with my marriage," James said through gritted teeth.

            "There isn't?  Tell me, friend, is Lily going back to school in a few weeks?"

            "Yes."

            "She is?  She's got a newborn son and she's leaving him with you so she can go be a doctor and continue the same absence she's been practicing for two years.  Isn't the third year the most time consuming?  Dammit, this is only med 'school,' she's not even a doctor yet.  Tell me with all honesty that you want her to do this."

            He didn't know why he was getting angry, he didn't want to be angry, but the way Sirius was saying everything...

            "I want her to be happy!" James nearly yelled.  "You can't understand anything about love—"

            "Do you want her to leave you and Harry so she can be a doctor and be happy?" Sirius continued, seemingly ignoring James's statement.  "Will her being gone all the time, learning how to take care of other people other than you, her husband, and Harry, her son, make you happy?  I mean honestly, James, she's not here to dictate to you, would you be happy knowing that your son is growing up without the care of his mother because she wants to be a doctor and take care of strangers?  And what about you?  You married her, and she married you.  She has obligations to you!  She has to make you as happy as you're making her!  And from what I've seen it hasn't been that way.  Has it?" he asked.

            James passed a shaking hand through his hair and turned his back on Sirius.

            "Tell me, James, tell me as a friend.  Yes or no, do you want her, do you want her to finish school so she can be the wonderful doctor instead of a good parent and spouse?"

            After several seconds of hesitation, Sirius heard James whisper "No."

            Sirius sighed then nodded to himself.  "Then why don't you tell her?" he asked.

            "It's not that simple," James said, turning around to face him.  "She's wanted this for a long time, and I would be the one saying she can't have it."

            "Pardon my bluntness and semblance to sounding like my father or yours, but she should have thought about that before she said 'I do.'  If she had really wanted it that badly, she should have held off marriage until she got it.  You know when you were telling me about Jade, I couldn't help but sense that you really want someone like her.  She could have married that young and been okay with it because she doesn't have driving ambitions to be the greatest doctor who ever lived.  Jade wants to be married and make babies, but Lily doesn't, when it comes right down to it, does she?"

            "I...she..."

            "She loves you, and I have no doubt that she loves Harry...now.  I'm an analyst for the Bureau, James, remember that.  I'm one of the best, and I'm getting used to reading people.  You and she are the type of people to declare you've created life to the world, but you didn't.  When you got down on one knee in a train station, she said yes then announced that she was getting married, as if we didn't see it!  She wasn't happy about being pregnant.  She didn't want the baby; she wanted to have a career.  Frankly, I'm surprised you took it so well.  You were dazzled with the news, you were blissfully happy about it, but she wasn't.  Red flag.  Wake up, James."

            "Why should I take anything you say into account?  You're acting like some sort of counselor, or a wacked therapist!  You're not an expert on this kind of thing.  No, I don't want her to finish that damn school.  Yes, I want Harry to have his mother around.  Do you think I choose to be placed in this kind of arena?  I have Lily on one end, now Harry on the other.  Why should I take anything you say seriously?  You don't have a wife, you don't have a child, and the closest you got to any of that is by looking at us being married and having a child.  You want to talk about not being credible, let's talk about you.  You're talking to me about commitment and happiness?  Are you happy, Sirius?  When you look into the mirror at your handsome face, do you see a happy man?  Do you think, God I'm lucky to have what I have, or do you wonder what else is out there for you?"

            Sirius moved his hand over his mouth then leaned against the door.  "I am happy.  I'm being honest with you.  I do what I want to do when I want to do it.  I have a good job.  I have great friends, a supportive family, talents, and a motorcycle.  So I don't have the perfect woman right now, big deal.  When I'm ready for her I'm sure she'll come along.  I'm not going to rush into marriage and family because I'm not ready for it, and I don't want it right now.  I'm happy, yes.  I see what I have and I do thank God that I have it.  What else could a guy want from life?  Different people want different things.  That's the way the world works.  You wanted to get married so you did it.  You wanted kids, so you started that, sooner than you would have liked, but now you have one.  All I'm trying to say is, are you getting from Lily what you want, like she's getting from you?  This discussion comes right down to that, James, that's it.  She's a gorgeous woman, the prettiest I've ever seen, there's no denying it because it's true.  You married the most beautiful woman on the face of the earth, and everyone knows it.  She's got her heart in the right place, according to her, most of the time.  She wants to be a doctor to save lives, she's kind to Slytherins, she's opened her home to anyone who wants to come.  She needs some direction though, and you're the only one who can give it to her.  She needs to make you happy, and she needs to make Harry happy.  The both of you come before this medical school.  She came before your Quidditch position and even your offer at the Bureau.  It has to go both ways.  That's what's fair."

            Sirius shoved his hands in his pockets and curtly nodded his head.  By some miracle Harry hadn't fluttered an eyelash during the entire conversation, though both of their voices had risen many times.

            James's eyes took on several shapes, but not as many as his mouth.  The corners came up, went down, alternated, thinned.  After sighing with exasperation numerous times, taking his hands off his hips then putting them back, attempting to start the conversation again, and running his hands nervously through his hair so much that it actually showed, James slumped down to the floor, his head against the wall.

            "What are you thinking?" Sirius asked, taking seat on the wall opposite James.

            James shook his head and shut his eyes.  "I don't know."

            "You're half of this.  You deserve fifty percent of everything.  But you don't have it right now."

            "I get you Sirius," he said snidely.  "I get your point."

            "Good, because I would hate to waste all that wisdom on someone who didn't grasp the concept."

            James started to knead his temple with his knuckles.

            "I think you need to get out and think.  I mean really get out and think.  Go somewhere, away from everyone, and just think about it.  I'll take care of the kid-o and tell Lily you went out real quick to clear your head.  The little stars on the diaper, that means the front side, right?"

            James nodded.

            "See, piece of cake.  And I won't let him pee on me.  So go, just go and clear that head of yours, and come back with some kind of resolution to all of this, okay?"

            James stared at him, looked into the crib, then back to Sirius.  "You sure you can handle it?"

            "No problem.  I've seen you guys do this baby thing, like you said, and that's good enough for me.  Besides, I was a baby so I sort of have special background information."

            James smirked.  "Okay, this is a pacifier which hasn't worked for us yet but that doesn't mean we're not trying.  If he starts crying just give it to him.  If he spits it out, then don't give it back.  And he likes to be bounced up and down a little and having air blown in his face.  I don't know why, so don't ask, but support his head okay?"

            "Got it.  Now get out of here."

            "If he's dry and he's still crying his head off after five minutes or so after the bobbing up and down and the air blowing thing, he's probably hungry.  Then you'll have to wake Lily.  She's the only one that can address that problem."

            "It's noticeable," Sirius said.  "Now go!  Go get your Nimbus and fly around the city or something.  Just go before I kick you out."

            "Don't try to be a stubborn hero.  If you need help, get Lily."

            "It's like you don't trust me, James.   Just go and I'll take perfect care of the kid.  Go before I punch you."  He pointed to the door and raised his eyebrows.

            James walked backwards out of the nursery, and soon Sirius heard the door to the apartment open and shut.

            "Your father is the craziest man I've ever met," Sirius said as he looked down on sleeping Harry.  "Let's hope it's not a genetic thing, or you're in big trouble."

            But seeing as how Harry was sound asleep, Sirius had very little to do.  He had to be quiet because Lily was napping; that pretty much ruled out any possibility for him to really move, as he wasn't known for his physical grace.  Instead, he found several books about babies, how to raise babies, pregnancy, and the like.   He sat himself down in the nursery and started to read.  It was something he wouldn't tell anyone about, however, because it was a huge crimp in his style.

            He thought it only right to start with pregnancy, for that was the beginning, then he'd work his way up with the time he was allowed.  He didn't expect it to be quite as fascinating as it was.  Pregnancy was actually a very interesting subject, and the pictures were just as captivating.  He finished the book in less than thirty minutes.

            "How long does it take a guy to think things over?  I laid it all out for him," he mumbled to himself as he looked at his watch.  "Oh well.  Twenty Ways to Being the Perfect Parent next.  Only you people would get a book like this.  Oh and look there's a cute little inscription.  'To my beautiful wife,' isn't that sweet, 'Happy Birthday.  I hope our son is just as kind, just as brilliant, and as perfect as you are.  With all my love, James.'  People in love are sincerely nauseating, Harry, remember that," Sirius said as he began the book.

            He only got as far as step two when there was a spine-chilling cry coming from his left.  Sirius dropped the book and put his hand over his heart.  "You scared the hell out of me."  He put the book back on a shelf and leaned over the crib.  "What's wrong little dude?"

            Harry's face was screwed up so tightly that he really didn't look like a cute baby anymore.  His eyes were sealed shut, his mouth was opened, and a horrible crying was screaming from it.  His tiny fists were clenched in little knuckles, and he was moving his legs in a desperate manner.

            "Okay, did you make a mess?" Sirius asked.  But Harry didn't really answer with actual words, just more screaming.  "Are you hungry, huh?  You want food?  I can't give you that so think of something else."

            His crying was more like some sort of cackle, only not a laugh.  His face got very red as he cried, though there were no tears, and he started making his fingers clench and unclench.

            "You are not that cute when you scream like that," Sirius said.  He started to hobble up and down on the balls of his feet.  "What's wrong?  Where's James?  Why can't Lily hear you?"

            Finally, after walking around the nursery in circles, Sirius reached down and picked Harry up, keeping him at arms length.  "There, is that what you want?"

            Harry was still wailing.

            "Sirius, relax, he's a baby.  Just remember he's smaller than you.  Here we go, Harry, why don't you stop crying, and I'll figure out a way to make whatever it is that you're crying about, go away."

            He wailed on.

            Sirius slowly pulled the baby closer to him and leaned Harry against his chest.  "Is this better?" he asked, supporting Harry's head against his shoulder with his right hand.  "And then he said to bounce up and down so let's try that."

            Though he didn't stop crying, it lessened.  "Is this better?  See, I can handle bab— why is this warm?" Sirius said as he put his other hand on Harry's bottom.  "I saw you changed a little bit ago, you didn't go again did you?"  But it seemed as though something warm had entered Harry's diaper.  "Why can't your father come back and put you right?  Because you kicked him out of his own home you idiot," he told himself.  "All I have to do is change a freaking diaper when there is no odor.  Piece of cake," he said, taking Harry to the changing table.

            He pulled a fresh diaper from the bottom tray and tossed it on the top.  First Sirius did the most obvious and pulled off the dirty diaper.  "Number two," Sirius said with a wrinkled nose.  He quickly threw it away.  "This is nice," he said as he watched Harry make more of a mess by getting number two all over his feet and in between his tiny toes.  "Stop moving for a second while I figure this out."  The good news was that Harry had stopped crying.  "Something to wipe with, a towel... 'Baby Wipes' perfect," he said, grabbing a box of labeled wipes specifically designed to not only remove the waste, but to moisturize and prevent rashes to the skin.  Sirius took about three wipes (so he wouldn't have to risk touching any of it) and quickly took off the mess.  Then he looked at the new diaper, got it ready, lifted Harry's legs into the air, put the diaper where it needed to go, then placed Harry back down.  "Not so bad," Sirius said.

            After fastening the diaper correctly and fastening the nighty back on, Sirius grinned.  "I changed a diaper," he said breathlessly.  Feeling quite accomplished, Sirius picked Harry up and held him to his chest.  "That was easy, right little man?"

            He looked at Sirius with very wide eyes, his mouth half open.

            "Piece of cake."  Sirius opened the nursery door and took Harry out into the living room where they sat on the couch.  "You're not so bad, kid."

            There was a knock on the door, followed by a name.  Sirius answered it.

            "Where's my widdle grandson?" Amanda Evans said as she entered the apartment with a sweet face.  "Come here Harry," she said in baby talk, reaching out for him.  Sirius handed him over.  She lifted him up a bit and kissed him all over before holding him close.

            "Hey, it's been a long time," Sirius said to her.

            "Oh, hello Sirius.  Yes it has been a long time.  How are you?"

            "Good.  Are those bags?" he asked, pointing to luggage in the hallway.

            "Yeah.  I'll be staying here for a week, to help with Harry."

            "Why?" Sirius asked.

            "Because I want to, Lily wants me to, and all new mothers need help.  This is the second time I've done this.  Speaking of which, where are Lily and James?" she asked.

            "Lily's taking a nap, and James is out clearing his head for a bit.  I was watching him," he explained.  "I changed him."

            "How long has it been since he's eaten?" she asked, looking down on him.

            "I have no idea."

            "Are you hungry Harry?  Are you?  Let's go find your mommy."  As she walked to the bedroom, Sirius paced and thought.  Had he said the right thing to James or was he out of line?  He'd been gone a while now, shouldn't he be back?  What a time to let that one spill, Sirius.  He just had a kid and you're wracking on his wife, he thought. 

            James came back right at that moment.  Sirius whipped around and gave a sigh of relief.  "Thank God.  I thought you were hurt or something.  What took you so long?" he asked.

            James made his lips go thin.  "I don't know," he simply said.

            "You're mother-in-law is here.  Did you know she was coming?" Sirius asked.

            "Yeah.  She's here to help us with Harry.  It's not uncommon, you know.  My grandmother helped my mother with me," he said shortly.  He brushed past Sirius then started cleaning up.

            "Look, James, I've been thinking," Sirius started.

            "I know that," James said back without looking at him.

            "I didn't mean to get you upset," Sirius said in a calm way, trying to keep quiet.

            "I know that too.  I'm not upset with you."

            "You're not?  But you are upset?" Sirius asked.

            "Well, sort of.  It just got me thinking about everything you said and..." he shook his head and sighed.  "I'll talk about this with her."

            "Now?" Sirius asked.

            "No, when the moment arises.  Listen, thanks for taking care of Harry while I was gone."

            "Not a problem.  Actually, it was a cinch."

            "Yeah, an hour would be, but not all the time.  And I won't be able to make the World Cup next week," he said.

            "W-what?  Why not?"

            "Look around, it's chaos.  It just wouldn't seem fair for me to go and make Lily stay here with him.  I know I promised I would go, but I can't shake my responsibilities for it.  You understand, right?"

            Sirius felt like he'd been socked in the stomach, but he didn't question or protest, because by the look on his face, James was just as disappointed.

            "Yeah, I understand.  We'll go some other time when things aren't so hectic," Sirius said with a small smile.  "I'll take Remus or someone.  It won't be the same, though."

            "No," James said, "it won't.  If it makes a difference, I really wanted to go."

            "I know you did."  Sirius put his hands in his pockets and teetered on the balls of his feet.  "So I'll let you go," he said quietly.

            "You don't have to leave," James said.

            Sirius chuckled.  "Yeah I do.  You need to take care of your family, and I have to go...well.  I'll see you at work?"

            He closed his eyes and nodded.

            "Bye."

            "See ya," James whispered, and with that Sirius opened the door, walked out into the hallway, and pulled it shut.  He stood there for a while, but he didn't know why.  Eventually he walked slowly down to the street where his motorcycle was parked.  He turned on his engine, revved it a few times, then sped off.

*   *   *   *   *

Hogwarts, on summer days, looked as picturesque as it did during Christmas, only the scenery was different.  As August was coming to a close and September first was looming in the air, the castle and grounds were being worked on in preparation for the new school year.  Hagrid lived on the grounds all year, but this was his favorite time of the year.  He usually walked along the school grounds accompanied only by nature, pleased with her company.  The castle, today, was going through some renovation, which he suspected that Filch was not pleased with.  He assumed that the teachers would be coming back soon, as they usually did just before school, to prepare their classrooms.

            He thought he'd go up to the castle and see who had arrived.  Hagrid moseyed up to the castle, walked through the entrance hall, and proceeded down the corridors.  He looked inside the many classrooms.

            "Hello, Professor Flitwick," he said.

            "Good day, Hagrid!" Flitwick squeaked.  "Have a good summer?"

            "Fine.  And you?"

            "Same each year."

            Hagrid waved his giant hand at him, then moved on.  Down the hall, Professor Gellar was arranging her class and fixing up her office.  Even though it was rather warm and dusty, she still managed to look beautiful. 

            She was just starting to rearrange the desks when a bird flew through the wall and landed right beside her.  It was a small falcon.  A glowing, round, crimson jewel was embedded on his chest.  Professor Gellar looked around the room, then placed her thumb and forefinger on either side of the stone.  A small, clear diamond disk fell out of the stone and onto the table, then transformed into a transparent letter with small black writing.  After reading it, the letter self destructed, and the falcon slipstreamed out of the castle.

            Celeste wiped some dust off of her hands, then walked out of her classroom and headed for the headmaster's office.

            "Hello, Professor Gellar," Hagrid said with his most friendly grin.

            "Hello, Hagrid.  It's nice to see you again."  They only spoke in passing, as they would be sure to meet up again.  She came to the stone gargoyle, spoke the password, then stepped on the ascending staircase. 

            The headmaster was searching for a book when she entered.

            "Celeste," he said with a warm smile, "how nice it is to see you again."

            "I'm glad to be back here, sir.  How was your summer?"

            "Well," he said avoiding her eyes.  "What brings you to my office?"

            "I'm supposed to ask you something, sir.  It's actually a request, but I don't know what it entails."

            A benign smile crossed Dumbledore's face, as if he should have suspected this.  "I was wondering when you would be doing so.  I'm afraid, though, that I will not be able to meet that.  Jill Prewitt wouldn't stand for such a thing.  Miss Narayan will have to keep her nose out of this one.  She needs to learn that she cannot simply send in spies wherever she chooses.  The members of the Order need to stay secret, whatever secret means in days such as these.  And while I have full trust of you, I don't of others.  And right now I don't know who those others are.  I need to keep Director Narayan out of this affair for many reasons, one being she's working with untrustworthy men and women.  Again, Celeste, I am sorry," he said.

            She shook her head.  "It's fine.  I understand completely."

            "I'll write to her explaining my reasons so that you don't have to."

            She looked quite relieved when he said this.  "Thanks."

            "It's always enjoyable to tell her no.  You focus on teaching the children to fight hard against the forces of evil, let us handle the evil itself." 

            She always valued his wisdom, especially now.  She often wondered what secrets he had locked away behind his kind eyes, for she knew he kept many.  But she never asked about them; she knew he wouldn't tell her.  For now, Celeste could only admire him and take him for simply the headmaster.

            "All right," she said.  She tipped her fingers to him, then left his office.  Dumbledore walked over to his desk and sat down.  He carefully dabbed his quill into his black ink well and began to write a letter, a letter he would be sending to a select few.

            Fawkes flew down to his desk and stared at the parchment, as if reading it himself.

            "There comes a time," Dumbledore said, "when matters must be taken into our own hands."  He brushed his long, gleaming white beard out of his way, then signed the letter.  "And this is one of those times."

*   *   *   *   *

Remus arrived back from Scotland on Sunday night.  He carefully unpacked all of his things and began putting them away.  The whole process was exceedingly boring, until he found something peculiar.  A large silver ring with a dull black stone was amongst his socks.  He picked it up and held it to the light.  It looked like an antique ring, probably very valuable, but he couldn't remember ever having something like this in his possession.  Curious, he slipped it on his right ring finger.

            At first he thought he felt a lunge coming from his stomach region, but it passed so quickly he thought he must have imagined it.  But once the ring was on, the stone started to gleam, as if it had suddenly been polished.  Remus brought it closer to his face.  The thick sides of the ring had dragon carvings etched in them.

            "Strange," Remus said.

            There was a knock on his door.

            "It's open," he said.  It was Sonja.

            "Hey sexy," she said just before planting a wet kiss on his lips.  "I had to see you again."

            "Really," he said, placing his hands on her waist.  "Why?  I thought you'd be sick of me by now."

            "Not possible.  I know it's late, but I was thinking we could order take-out or something."

            "Sounds good to me," Remus said.  "Hey, is this yours?" he asked, showing her the ring on his finger.  "I found it in my luggage."

            Sonja took hold of his hand and examined it.  "It was my father's," she said, not exactly meeting his eyes.  "Could I have it back?"

            "Sure," he said, taking it off.  "It's a very interesting ring.  Does it do anything?"

            "You mean like turn the wearer invisible?  No, it's not a magic ring."

            "What kind of stone is that?" he asked.

            "Um," she said, holding it, "I think it's black obsidian.  It's not worth much, but my father liked it."

            Remus watched her carefully as she slipped the ring back into her pocket.  "Chinese?" he asked.

            "What?"

            "Take-out, remember?"

            "Oh," she said.  "Right.  That's fine with me.  Chinese is great."

            "Are you doing all right, Sonja?" Remus asked.

            "I'm just tired.  I'll be better in the morning, and I'm practically starving.  So let's get the food."

            "Right," Remus said, pulling out a book of local restaurants.

At two in the morning, Remus went to Leeds.  He ran up the staircase, then to Sirius's apartment.  He started knocking, which changed to pounding, on the door.

            "Sirius!" he whispered loudly.  "I know you're in there!"

            "What the hell do you think you're doing?" A woman yelled at him from another door.

            "Sorry," Remus said.  "Sirius!"

            The door opened.  "You are not," he started, squinting at him, "an insanely beautiful woman."  He closed the door.

            "Sirius this is important!"

            Sirius opened the door a little, but Remus forced his way in.  "You're a historian of sorts, right?"

            "No," Sirius said, trying to maintain his balance.  "What's this about?  It's two in the morning?  Can't you call back later?  I've got to go in tomorrow by six.  That's four hours from now."

            "What's the significance of dragons?" Remus asked.  "What do they symbolize?"

            Sirius slumped on his couch and laid his head back.  "How should I know?  Look, would you leave before I kick you out?  It's night.  People sleep at night.  I'm people, therefore I sleep at night."

            "She's got this ring with a dragon encrusted on the sides.  When I put it on, I got this lurch.  The stone turns shiny when someone wears it."

            Sirius looked at him.  "And...?  Who cares, Remus.  Now please go home and leave me alone."

            "No there's something about this ring.  She got all weird when I asked her about it."

            "I don't care.  Please leave me be."

            "And her tattoo, it's a dragon."

            "Well there you have it.  She likes them.  Now please leave me alone," Sirius said as he pushed Remus out the door.

            "Jade studies history," Remus said.

            "Yes, go bug her."  Sirius slammed the door.  Remus turned and left as quickly as he had come.

*   *   *   *   *

Lily woke with a start.  She sat up so fast her head got light, but nothing seemed to be wrong.  James was sleeping soundlessly next to her, Harry wasn't crying, and she felt fine.  Lily threw the covers off of her, stepped out of bed, and walked into the kitchen for a glass of water.

            "What's the matter, dear?" her mother asked.  She was slipping on her light robe.

            "I was thirsty, I think."

            "Oh.  This is a really nice apartment," she commented as she looked around.

            "Thanks.  He hasn't cried has he?"

            "No."

            "Huh," Lily said to herself.  She finished her glass of water then went back to bed without another word to her mother.            "Wha's matter?" James mumbled.

            "Nothing, go back to sleep," she told him.  She lay back down and stared at the ceiling, unable to follow her own commands.  The moment she sighed and closed her eyes, Harry started to cry.  Lily shot out of bed and ran to the nursery, flipped on the light and picked him up.

            "He's probably just hungry," her mother said as she came into the room.

            "Yeah," Lily said uncertainly.  "He feels dry so that's what it must be."

            "What's wrong?" James asked, shuffling into the room.

            "He's hungry.  Go on back to bed, dear, there's nothing you can do," Mrs. Evans said.

            "But—"

            "Do you have breasts filled with milk, James?" she asked him.

            "No, but I—"

            "You'll only get in the way.  We appreciate that you want to help, but you would hinder our efforts.  Goodnight," she said as she pushed him out of the room.  She turned back to Lily.  "You married well."

            "Hold him for a second," Lily said, handing Harry over to her mother.  Lily unbuttoned her blouse, sat down in the rocking chair, then reached out for him.  "Here you go, sweetie," she said as she held him to her chest.  He immediately stopped crying as he began to suckle.  He opened his eyes and looked up at her.

            "Amazing, isn't it?" Amanda said, taking a seat on the opposite wall.

            "What's that?" Lily asked, still looking down at Harry.

            "How warm and special you feel when you feed him.  I remember like it was yesterday, with Petunia, then you.  It was the strangest feeling of happiness I ever had.  Just sitting there, with a baby eating away and looking up at me, like he is now."

            Lily smiled placidly and started to rock the chair.  Harry had both his hands on her, his small fingernails poked a little.

            "When he starts to bubble he needs to be burped," Amanda said.

            "Is it normal for him to just...stop but still hold on?"

            "Sure."

            "Okay, because he's doing that now.  Thanks so much for helping me.  I don't know what I'd do without you."

            Amanda smiled at her.  "You're doing great.  He's a very beautiful baby, Lily, you should be proud."

            Lily looked down at him again.  He was starting to bubble at the mouth.  She pulled him away then rested him on her shoulder, patting his back.  "This is right, right?"

            "Right," Amanda said.  "Burping is a fairly simple concept.  This is the easy stuff here, when he's so young.  You just wait until he grows up and wants to go to that school you went to."

            Lily snapped her head up.  "Hogwarts?"

            "Well he's going, isn't he?" Amanda asked.

            "I haven't thought about that.  That's so far away from now, he was just born a little over a week ago.  It's a bit soon to think about that."

            "It'll go by in a blink, and you'll wonder where all that time went," she said with a yawn.

            "You act as though it's like turning a page," Lily said with half a grin.

            "It is," Amanda said back.

            Lily stared at her, her smile slowly fading.  "You're depressing me."

            "I'm sorry.  Has he burped yet?" she asked, as though the transition was clean.

            "Yes.  Um, how's Petunia handling her situation?"

            "Just as well.  He's going to have blonde hair, it's coming in that way at least.  He started smiling a few weeks ago, and his eyes are starting to change color.  They're very happy with him."

            "Is she a good mother?"

            Amanda smiled.  "Yes, she is.  I know to start it's hard and you worry a lot, but you'll be fine, Lily.  It'll come to you.  It'll come."

            "Do you think he's full?" Lily asked.

            "How should I know?  See if he wants more."

            "I don't want him to eat too much," Lily said.  As it turned out, Harry did want more.  "What if he eats himself sick?"

            Amanda laughed.  "Do you eat yourself sick?"

            "No."

            "Then why should he?  He'll stop when he's full.  He has the same kind of bodily functions that you have."

            True, Lily thought, very true. 

            "Well, you've got this under control.  I'm going back to sleep."

            "Night," Lily said.  Harry pulled back a bit.  Lily wiped his mouth with her shirt then cradled him.  "Are you ready to go back to sleep?" she asked him.  "Hmmm?"  She lifted him up then kissed his soft cheeks.  "Let's go to sleep Harry."

            But then another noise reached her ears.  First there was a rumbling, then what sounded like a rubbing kind of thing.  Lily looked at Harry's face and saw that he looked like he was pushing something.

            "Uh oh," she said, unable to keep from giggling.  "Did Harry go poo poo?  Did you?  I think you did," she sang.  She lay him down on the changing table and took off the dirty diaper.  "You did go poopy," she said, kissing his cheeks again.  "Lots of poopy.  Yucky."

            She covered him up while she got her new diaper and the super-deluxe wipes, so he couldn't get a shot at her.  After cleaning him up, slapping a new diaper on him, and hoisting him back into the air so she could kiss his cheeks again, she laid him back in his crib.

            She leaned on it, spun the snitch mobile around, then watched him fall asleep.  His gaze never left her until his eyes closed.

            "Goodnight," she whispered.  She laid one more blanket over him, squeezed his tiny hand, then went back to bed.

            James appeared to be sleeping, but he smiled when Lily got back into bed.  She got close and snuggled up with him.

            "How is he?" James whispered.

            "Fine," she answered.  "He's so cute."

            "That seems to be the consensus, doesn't it?" he asked, rolling onto his side so he could look at her.

            "Yeah," she said grinning at him.  "You look funny without your glasses," she said.

            James laughed.  "How long have you felt that way?" he teased.

            "Since I saw you without them.  I don't know, you just look so...innocent or something, and I know you're anything but that."

            "Well, the truth comes out.  When I first saw you I thought you were nice," he said.

            "Appearances can be deceiving," she said in a low, throaty voice.  She raised her eyebrows a few times.  "Aren't they?"

            James put his hand on the back of her head and pulled himself towards her for a kiss.  It had been some time since they could be together without a small person kicking Lily.  He had always gotten a little overly excited when passion was involved, but now that he was in the nursery...

Sirius pulled out the seat for his date, then sat across from her.  She looked radiant in a maroon dress.  Her hair was dark and curly, her eyes were tantalizingly blue, and her smile made his stomach do flip flops.  He was hoping this date would go better than his past two.  He was also dreading James's voice floating across his mind as she spoke.

            "So, Victoria," Sirius began, "what do you do for a living?"

            "I'm a publicist for Witch Weekly," she said with her smile.

            So far so good, Sirius heard himself say inside his busy mind.  "Interesting," he said.

            "Well it has its moments, but all in all it's boring.  I mean, I meet all kinds of famous people—"

            Uh oh.  She's a kiss-up.

            "But they're really not a big deal, I mean they can be really dull.  Last Thursday I met up with the Minister of Magic, and one word: face-lift.  I mean you'd think he was a dinosaur or something."

            "So you're more into cosmetics?" he asked.  Say no, please say no!

            "Yes," she said, snapping her fingers.  "I suggested a whole new lipstick line to the cosmetics department last week and they said they'd think about it.  Isn't that great Cyrus?"

            "Sirius," he corrected her.  "And that's fantastic," he said dryly.  Please, God, if you really exist, please send me to work.  Have someone owl me, please.  Let there be an emergency that I have to get to.  Maybe my mother's ill, and I have to see her before she dies?  Yes!  That's a great excuse!  How do I work it in, though?  Geez, listen to her go on.  Bla bla bla about your make up.  You want to know what I think about your make up, Vicky?  I think you can shove it up your—

            "My sister always said I should do modeling for swimsuits," she said.

            Wait...  The situation seems to be improving.

            "Modeling?" Sirius said.  "Have you looked into that?"

            "A little.  You think I could do it?"

            "Wonderfully," he said, grinning.

            "My sister is currently on the cover of Play Wizard."

            "That's your sister?  Well you're much prettier than she is.  I'll bet you'll have an entire issue to yourself."

            "You think so?" she asked.

            "Absolutely."  Dinner went very well.  They had fried shrimp, steak, and champagne.  Sirius was mighty pleased that he didn't give up on Victoria, and even happier that James's voice hadn't interfered.

            "You want to come inside?" she asked, her hand on the door knob of her house.

            "If you want me to," he said.

            She smirked, grabbed his hands, then led her into her dark home.  "Don't you want lights?" he asked.

            "No," she said giggling.

            Sirius couldn't see her, but he sure felt her lips on his.  Sirius didn't want to be rude, so he kissed her back.  He let his hands travel over her shapely body.  His right hand found the zipper on the back of the dress.

            Don't do it, Sirius, an annoying voice said.  He tried to shake it off, but it kept coming back. Think about all the consequences that go along with this.  Do you want her to get pregnant and then have to take care of a baby?  You're not ready for these kinds of things.  Can you see yourself married to this woman?  Can you stand to wake up with her every single day?

            But I won't, he said back.  I won't marry her.

            Oh, so you'll knock her up and not marry her, I see.  Your children will be just as dumb as she is, you know.

            Who said anything about kids?

            You're going to engage in sexual reproduction, aren't you?  Reproduction implies children.  Those charms only say they're effective, but the simple existence of your godson proves otherwise.  Are you ready for Sirius junior?  Do you want this woman to be the mother of Sirius junior?  Are you ready to make these kinds of decisions?  Remember how you felt after you did this with Liz?

            Sirius pulled back.

            "What's wrong?" she asked.

            He couldn't exactly see her face so it was difficult to explain.  "I um...I'm not ready to—I think we should get to know one another better before— let's hold off for a while, okay?" he said.

            "Lights," Victoria commanded.  Suddenly the house was illuminated.  "All right," she said with a smile.

            "Good.  It's better to wait for these kinds of things, you know?" he said, backing up to the door.  "Waiting is good."

            "Owl me?" she said.

            "Yep," he said, tripping out of the house.

At noon, Remus took his lunch break and headed over to the Ministry of Magic, History and Intelligence Department, which was in London.  He had never been inside the building before; it wasn't something he desired to do, but he quickly found his way.

            "May I help you?" the receptionist asked.

            "Can I speak with Jade Yang?" he asked.  "I'm a friend."

            She smiled then looked down at her roster.  "She's giving a presentation right now, but she should be done in twenty minutes or so.  You can have a seat."

            He thanked her then sat down.  After thirty minutes of constantly checking his watch, Jade came down to see him.

            "Remus?  What a pleasant surprise.  What do you need?"

            "Your expertise on something.  Could we do this in private?" he asked.

            "Oh sure.  Come on up."  She led him to an elevator with no buttons, stepped inside, then they were lifted to her department.  "Have you been to the Ministry before?" she asked.

            "Nope."

            The inside was quite lovely, actually.  There were several desks lining the elliptical walls.  Great slender pillars held up the ceiling, where sunlight came pouring inside.  Jade led Remus to her office, which was small but private.  Her desk was large and very neat.  "Sit," she said, indicating a chair.  "So what's up?" she asked.

            "Well, it could be nothing, but something tells me it is."

            "You'll have to be a bit more specific," she said with a smile.    

            "Sorry.  Okay, my girlfriend and I went to Scotland a little bit ago, and when I was unpacking I found a strange ring inside my luggage.  It was a man's ring.  There was a large black stone in the center, and dragon carvings on the side.  She got a bit passive when I asked her about it.  She said it was her fathers then sort of changed the subject."

            Jade started chewing on her quill, then jotted down a few notes.  "What's her last name, again?"

            "Woods.  Sonja Woods.  So what do you think?"

            "It's probably nothing, but it sounds a bit Tolkien if you ask me."

            "What?"

            "I read the Hobbit.  Could you sketch the ring?" she said, passing him a sketchpad and drawing pencil.

            "I can try."

            "Dragons...hmm.  Dragons are interesting.  They serve a dual purpose in literature, but now they're really more of a nuisance than anything else.  Let me go and get some books from the library about them."  Jade departed but returned minutes later, laden with thick volumes.  "Do you know her father's first name?"

            "Yeah, Abner.  He died several years ago.  Still, I've never seen her with that ring.  We went to her house, so maybe it just slipped or something."

            "Abner Woods.  The name does sound a little familiar.  Tetrahedron," she said.  Instantly a tetrahedron shaped mass appeared above her desk.  "Find me files on Abner Woods."

            A few seconds passed.  "Information on Abner Woods is classified," a smooth female voice said.

            "Why?" Jade asked.

            "Abner Woods worked with the International Wizard Bureau of Investigation."

            "Interesting," Jade said.  "Can you tell me as what?"

            "Covert Operations Field Agent, Intelligence Department."

            "You're girlfriend's father was a spy, and if his records are classified, probably a good one.  How did he die, do you know?" she asked him.

            Remus shook her head.  "She won't say.  If the information is classified, then how can you ask for his profession?"

            "That's the reason it is classified.  Most members of the IWBI are.  The most we can get on any of them is their name and position.  However, most of the spies that are still breathing this good air aren't on record.  Abner is coming up because he's dead.  I still can't get anything about him, though.  That probably means they're still working on his information."

            "So James and Sirius?"

            She shook her head.  "Names and positions only.  It's impossible to get addresses, spouse information, family history, nothing.  Sirius said they have wards and charms on their employ's homes.  Working for the IWBI is a dangerous thing.  Are you finished with the drawing?"

            "Oh, yeah."  He handed it to her.  Jade stared at it hard.  "I'm not the best artist," Remus said casually.

            "This design," she said thoughtfully, "where have I seen it?"

            "It's familiar to you?"

            "Yes.  Damn, I've seen it somewhere before but where?  Where did you see it, Jade?" she said to herself.  "The stone, what is it?"

            "She said it was black obsidian."

            "That's a fairly common stone, it's not even a gem.  What else is black obsidian?"

            "I have no idea," he said, shrugging his shoulders.  Just then, a tall good-looking man entered.

            "Jade, have you finished that report on Regan yet?" he asked.

            "Yes, and its Reagan.  Here it is," she said, handing it to him.  "My prediction for the next president of the United States.  He's running.  Election's in November.  It's just stuff we do here."

            "He's a Muggle?"

            "Yeah, but leadership, Muggle or magical, is still important.  So look, I'll work on this ring in my spare time, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.  In the meantime, ask her about it, but try and be coy."

            "Fine.  Was that man Kevin?" he asked with half a smirk.

            Jade pursed her lips out a little.  "Yeah, that was Kevin."

            "Ah.  A face really helps when I hear these stories.  He is really tall," Remus said.

            "Yes he is.  So I'll see you later?" she said.

            "Yes, later."  And with that, Remus left, feeling a little better about his uneasiness.

*   *    *    *   *

James paced the bathroom, occasionally gazing into the foggy mirror.  He kept mumbling to himself, then mumbled some more as he looked into the mirror.  He pulled off a dry towel and ruffled his wet hair with it, continuing to talk to himself.

            "Be a man," he said.  "Put your foot down.  Don't be a doormat.  You have rights," he said, pointing to himself in the mirror.  "You are the man.  The husband.  The father.  You are the head of the household.  Whatever you say goes.  Yeah, that's right, James.  She's so going to kill you."  He rested his hands on either side of the sink and let his head fall forward.  "I don't think you should leave Harry with your parents all day long.  No, I don't want you to leave Harry with your parents all day.  You're his mother.  You should take care of him, not your mother.  Do I sound chauvinistic?" he asked his reflection.  "Maybe I should tone it down."

            "James, are you all right in there?" Lily yelled.

            "Yes, dear!" he yelled back.  "Okay, be tough, be brave, be a man and stand up to your wife.  You can do this."

            "Why are you talking to yourself?" she asked.

            "I have a group to talk to this morning," he lied.

            "Nervous?" she asked.

            "Incredibly."

            "You'll do fine," she said.  "Have you seen my backpack?  I can't find it anywhere."

            "Put your clothes on, you idiot," he said, looking at his towel around his waist.

            Lily walked through the apartment, lifting up blankets, towels, baby clothes, tiny socks, and diapers in search of her backpack.  "I had it right here," she said, pointing to the couch.  "Where's my backpack, Harry?" she asked him as he down in his basinet.  "Have you seen it?" she asked, smiling and talking in a high pitch and sickeningly sweet tone.  Harry squirmed around and grabbed onto her dangling hair with his tiny fists.  "No, sweetie, let go of mommy's hair."

            "I think it could be in the nursery someplace," James said as he entered the living room.

            "Let go," Lily was whispering to Harry.  "Let go of mommy, that's it."  She stood up.  "Nursery?  Why would it be in there?"

            "Why do we have diapers littered all over the flat?  Who knows," he said.  Lily went into the nursery.  "What time is your first class?" he yelled to her.

            "Nine!"

            James checked his watch; it was ten minutes to eight.  "Why are you leaving so early?"

            "Found it!  I have to take Harry to my parents' house and get him settled first."

            James shoved his hands in his pocket.  "How long are you going to be at school?" he asked, trying to keep the edge out of his voice.

            "Gosh I don't know," she said, coming back out into the living room.  She had one bag slung over her back, another in her left hand, and a diaper bag in her right.  "My last class is at three, but I don't know how long it's supposed to go.  Still, I'll be able to see patients real soon," she said, grinning.

            "It's the year you've been waiting for, isn't it?" he asked.

            "Yes!  All that stupid hard busy work is over, and now things get practical.  We start out with a ton of lab work, but the real deal is soon to come.  Now, I'm supposed to sling this here," she said, strapping on a harness-like-thing to her chest.  "I've got my notebooks, his bag, and his extra bag," she said to herself, "now I just need him.  Okay this is all going to work."  She picked Harry up and slipped him into the pouch in front of her, holding the back of his head.

            "So that's it then?  You're just going to leave him there all day?"

            Lily looked up at him.  "No," she said cooly.  "I'll drop by at around twelve so I can feed him, then go back to class and pick him up when I'm done.  Unless you can pick him up.  What time are you off today?"

            "Five."

            "Then I'll pick him up when class is out," she said.

            "And you're at school how many days a week?"

            "Four, and then lectures on Sunday.  What is this about?" she asked, her head cocked to the side.

            Be brave, be brave.  "I don't know that I want Harry to stay with your folks for so long.  He doesn't go more than thirty minutes without needing you.  Don't you think you should stay with him?" he said.

            "You're asking me to quit," she said.  "You're asking me to quit school so I can be some housewife?"

            "Don't get angry," James said calmly.

            "What should I do?"

            "Let's discuss this like adults, okay?"

            "So let me get this straight.  You can go off to work, to a dangerous job, so you can risk your life and make money, but I can't go to school because I have a uterus and breasts?"

            James stared at her, the heat rising in his face.  "You think I'm doing this because I'm sexist?  Come on, Lily, this is me.  You've known me for nine years, don't start with the name calling or the ridiculous assumptions."

            "Well what then?  Why do you get to go to work, and I have to stay here?"

            "I didn't say that," James said.  "I wondered if you should stay with him because it's better for him.  That's what I said."

            "Oh, what, so now he's going everywhere with me?  Can't you see a problem with that?  Why can't you take care of him?  Why can't you give up your job?  Why does it have to be me?"

            It was then that James lost it.  He had wanted to deny everything Sirius had told him, but now that was impossible.

            "It's always me that's making sacrifices for you!" he yelled, his face puce.  "If I could express how sick and tired I am of letting you kick me around, I would!  It's never about me, Lily, it's always about you!  I seem to remember, yes let me think, a time when I was offered an opportunity that you just didn't like!  I gave it up, no questions asked because I was obligated to you first!  I have put up with all of your studying crap, all of your stress, all of you damn wining and exhaustion for so damn long!  I'm tired of it!  TIRED!  When will you ever give me some respect and acknowledge that I am part of this equation?  It's not just you, Lily.  You married me.  You told me, you told God, you told your family and friends that you would love, honor, and respect me until death!  I've held up to my end, how about you?"

            Lily's mouth was open in shock.  Even Harry wasn't making any noise.  He was clutching onto Lily's shirt with his hands.  Lily seemed to be motionless; she hardly blinked.  James continued.

            "If you had wanted to become a doctor so bad, then you should have said no to my marriage proposal.  If your medical career was more important, then it should have taken the number one spot on your list of priorities.  But you didn't.  Instead you made it me, but then you haven't.  Never have you come to me asking about what I think in regards to your schooling.  Never have you come to me asking what I want.  And you know what, for a while I was all right with that, I really was.  It's always been that way between you and me, I know it.  You've had me wrapped around that pinky finger of yours since the day we met.  I really don't think that any amount of conversation will change that. 

            "But it's not about me anymore, Lily.  If you had wanted to walk all over me until one of us died, fine.  But things have changed around here, if you haven't noticed.  Now there's a third person in this home.  We can't think about ourselves first anymore.  What about him, Lily?" he said, pointing to Harry.  "He didn't ask to be brought into the world.  He didn't ask to be shoved in the middle of this equation.  He doesn't care that you want to be a doctor, or that I go to my dangerous job, or that there are some very evil things happening in this world.  The only thing he is capable of caring about is whether we are here.  I know he needs both of us, but let's be reasonable.  Right now he needs you a whole lot more than he needs me.  And yes, a lot of that is because you have a uterus and breasts.  There is no amount of magic or desire in me to change that.  You are his mother.  Hell, you have technically known him longer than I have.  You carried him for over nine months inside you, letting him grow.  When I pick him up he still cries.  When you pick him up he stops.  It's human nature.  No, it's nature in general.  Offspring need their mothers at a younger age more than their fathers.  Can't you see that?  Can't you see how he is with you and how he is with me?  He gets upset for some reason, and you hold him to your chest so he can hear your heart beating, and he relaxes.  I can't do that.  If I could take half of this I would, but I can't."  James stared at her staring at him.  He ran his shaky hands through his hair, then crashed on the couch.  They were silent for a while.

            "What are you thinking now?" she whispered.

            He shook his head.  "I'm waiting for you to respond.  I've said everything that came into my head.  Now it's your turn."

            "Oh," she replied.  "How long have you wanted me to quit?" she asked.

            "Honestly?" he asked.

            "Why stop now," she said, sitting down.

            "A while.  Since at least last October."

            "Why didn't you say any of this?" she asked.

            "Would it have made much of a difference?"  He sighed then leaned back.  "I didn't want to be the one coming down to wreck your dreams.  It would have seemed selfish of me, if I had asked you to quit last year.  What would have been the point?  I go to work, you went to school.  But when I came home I was done.  When you came home you continued.  That was my biggest complaint.  You were more like a roommate, not my wife.  But like I said, it can't be about me anymore.  We have to think what's best for him."

            Lily considered him for a moment.  Harry's raspy breathing was the only thing they could hear.

            "I almost half way done," she said, but that was as far as she got.  James stood up and stomped out of the living room.  "Why quit now when I've finally gotten to where I want to be?"

            James whirled around.  "FINE!" he yelled.  "FINE!  Go ahead and become a doctor so you can help strangers!  GO!  Go drop off our three-week-old son at your mother's house so she can take care of him while you fulfill your dream!  GO!  But I want you to remember that I, your husband and father of our child, asked you not to go, for HARRY!  I'm just a stupid man, what do I know about the welfare of my son?!!  What do I know about my wife having respect for my decisions?  Go ahead and leave him while you study!" he screamed.

            Now Harry began to cry.

            "It's not like I'm leaving him with strangers, James.  He's staying with his grandparents."

            "Oh, well then it's okay!" he said sarcastically.  "My mistake!  As long as he's with family then I guess everything is all better now.  Yes, it is.  Now you can be a part-time mother.  And his grandmother can be a part-time mother and part-time grandmother.  Yes, that's so much better.  Why didn't you say something before!" he yelled again.

            "So I'm not allowed to do what I want because I'm a mother?" she yelled back.

            "How selfish can you possibly be?" he asked.  "Have you even been listening to what I've been saying?  If you were a good mother you would care for our baby instead of trying to be a doctor!"

            "How dare you!  How dare you lecture me about parenting!  You know as much as I do about it, yet you're already a scholar on what constitutes a good parent and a bad one?  How dare you!"

            "At least I'm making judgments!" he yelled.  "At least I can decipher what's good for our son!  The only thing you care about is what you want.  I can't believe I married such a selfish woman!  I thought maybe having a baby would change that, but I guess it didn't.  I feel so sorry for him.  You're going to deprive him of a good childhood because you're selfish, and you want what you want, and you don't care what happens to him or to me!"

            "That's not true!" she yelled.  Her eyes were starting to redden.

            "I'd like for you to prove otherwise," he said, crossing his arms.

            But Lily had had enough.  Scowling, breathing heavily, and trying to get Harry to stop crying, Lily turned on her heal, walked through the door, and slammed it behind her.  James stomped over to the door and opened it to yell back at her.  "Have a great day in class without Harry in your arms!"

            She didn't turn around to acknowledge him.  She walked briskly down the hallway, knowing that her husband was boring holes in the back of her head.  Harry was still wailing in her arms.  She spoke soothingly to him, but it didn't matter.

            "Shhh," she said.  "Don't cry, Harry, don't cry.  No more yelling," she whispered, then kissed his soft cheeks.  "No more yelling.  Please stop crying," she started, but she found that even she couldn't keep the tears inside her anymore.  They poured down her face like a flowing stream, each tear was painfully cold and caused her to shiver until she wiped them away.

            She was walking down the staircase when she heard James slam the door.  He walked into the kitchen and paced around, all the words he had said were playing like a broken record in his head.  His entire body had gotten tense and he could almost feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins.  He couldn't remember a time when he was really angry with Lily.  She had done annoying things from time to time, but he figured he did too.  But this, this was ten times worse than anything that had been between them.  He couldn't ever remember yelling quite that loud at her.  But he was more concerned that she wouldn't respect his wishes. 

            James was so lost in thought that he didn't notice a large gray owl fly into the room bearing a great thick envelope with a red and gold seal on the back.  It was only when the owl bit him, that he took the letter.

            It was addressed to him and Lily.  James ripped the envelope open and recognized the loopy handwriting as Albus Dumbledore's.  Intrigued, he read:

            "To the good people of our future,

            As you all are aware, the masses of evil have been rising right before our very eyes.  Many of us are unacquainted with just how severe these satanic powers are, but many of us have been victims of it.  We have lost our mothers, our fathers, our siblings and our sons and daughters to seemingly unstoppable peril.

            Life, most unfortunately, is not a fairytale.  It did not begin with "Once upon a time," nor will it end with "happily ever after."  But while such good things are beyond our grasp, there is no need to let life fall into the fires of hell.  Evil exists.  I myself have witnessed its merciless appetite, as quite a few of you have as well.  But with such forces, there is also goodness.  For where there is terrible darkness, there must also be cleansing light.  Where there is affliction there is righteousness.

            Too long have we let this darkness scour our earth.  Too long have we stood, waiting for it to disappear.  Too long have we waited for a mythological hero.  It is time to take up our swords.

            There comes a time in our many years when fighting is all we have left.  This is one of those times.  I am asking you to join with me in this battle.  I have known all of you for many years.  I know that your hearts posses daring, chivalry, nobility, bravery, kindness, morality, patience, compassion, and a drive to conquer a goal.  I know that you will help me.

            None of us are equal, yet we each have something in common.  We need to protect.  We, as human beings, must protect something or someone in our lives.  Our country, our schools, our institutions, our spouses, or our children need us to fight Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters.

            Bravery and virtue such as this, died many years ago when Voldemort was allowed to instill fear in us all.  It is time that our bravery and our virtue rise from the ashes and grow into a mighty force of companionship to better combat the Dark Lord.

            Good people of the future, I am asking you to become integral members of the Order of the Phoenix; an order that will try do nothing more than save this world from Voldemort's grip of demise.

            Hogwarts has been the stage for your education into wizardry, and even into the wizarding world.  Let it also be the setting stage of the new age.  On the commencement weekend of the new school year, the Order of the Phoenix will meet for the first time.  I expect to see each one of you there. 

There comes a time when matters need to be taken into our own hands, and this is one of those times.

            Yours in Fellowship,

            Albus Dumbledore"

James sighed, closed the letter, and slipped it slowly back into the envelope, pondering it's content.  Across the country, several other wizards and witches did the same, including Sirius Black.