After Hogwarts – Part Three
James looked sadly at the Muggle bodies lying on the streets, and shook his head. He and many other Order members, including Lily, had been sent to London to investigate the Muggle attack by Voldemort and his Death Eaters. It was the third attack that month, and terror ensued everywhere in the Wizarding world. They couldn't even trust anyone now—not even members of the Order. Who knows what unexpected person may turn out to be a spy?
"This is terrible," whispered Arabella, clutching the hands of Sirius, and shivering. It was early December, and very chilly.
"Worse, much worse," mumbled Remus, shaking his head along with James. "I can't believe Voldemort would be like this."
"Damn him," cursed Moody, stomping his feet, either from anger or from the cold. "Bloody murderer, he is."
Alice gave a small cry, and huddled close to Frank, tears rolling down her cheeks. It was still at the crack of dawn, and the teardrops that slid down her round, pink cheeks looked like frozen dewdrops about to slid off a leaf after a night of rain.
"Why would he do this?" said Lily, her voice quivering. "It's barbaric, killing all these poor, innocent Muggles who don't even know that magic exists."
"We're going to stop him," said Jennifer with determination, as she yanked Gideon's arm closer to her own. "Don't you have anything to say, Gid?"
"Yeah, horrible," murmured the comely young man, scratching his head. "Fab"—he turned to his brother—"what do you make of this? I have an eerie feeling about this attack, somehow."
"It's a Muggle attack," replied Fabian, nonplussed. "What else is there to say? It's one of You-Know-Who's worst doings, but he has been doing these things for ages. What're you thinking about, Gideon?"
"Somehow," said Gideon slowly, "I think that this is an end and a beginning of something terrible."
"What are you on about?" demanded Remus aggressively.
"I mean to say that perhaps You-Know-Who—"
"Voldemort," corrected the young werewolf curtly.
"You-Know-Who might have some large plan to expunge all the people who are against him and his regime. Perhaps he has a plan right this second and is talking it over with his Death Eaters to get rid of the people of the Light—in other words, the Order. He may be planning to kill the Order members first before he moves on to other people. However, he could also go on to the most powerful Wizarding families in our world. They're the Bones, McKinnons, us Prewetts, and the Potters."
James' eyes flashed, as he looked over at the young man. "Are you sure about this, Gideon?"
"I don't quite have substantiated proof, but James, he'll be after us soon!" Gideon's crystal blue eyes widened considerably. "You would suspect that You-Know-Who would be after us, after all the work we've done to go against him and the Dark Side. You know how he hates some of the old Wizarding families who aren't on his side. He'll do anything to either get those families on his side, or kill them. Now that he sees that nothing would make those families support him, he'd probably resort to the latter."
"Hogwash," said Remus aloud. "A bunch of crap, I say!"
"Lupin," gasped Jennifer, her hand fluttering to her mouth. "It makes perfect sense, why don't you get it?"
"Oh, you're only supporting him 'cause he's your boyfriend."
"You're not supporting him because you're just jealous that he is my boyfriend!"
"Jennifer, Remus," scolded Violet gently. "Enough of this already. This is a serious situation, and we'll not fool around any longer. It's time for you two to make up and let go of your past. If you don't cooperate, we may all perish in this war."
"She's right," said Jackson quietly, holding his girlfriend's hands.
"You—" began Remus, but he cut his thoughts mid-way. "Never mind. I'm sorry."
"So am I," agreed Jennifer stiffly.
"Well, then," said Lily awkwardly. "Er—what were you saying, Gideon?"
Gideon simply raised a perfectly arched eyebrow at the young wife and sighed. "Your family may be in danger, Lily."
"I—" Remus stopped halfway through his sentence again, and refrained from speaking unless spoken to.
"Well, Gideon, then I suppose your family would be as well."
"Yes, I am quite aware of that, as well as the fact that there are many families that are plotting against our families right at this moment."
"Such as mine," added Sirius, finally joining the conversation. "My brother's a Death Eater."
Silence followed this statement, as the Prewett brothers looked his way. Fabian looked perfectly calm and nonchalant, but Gideon stared at Sirius as if he were a madman.
"You're kidding."
"Not. Is it that surprising, Gid? My family's always been supportive of the Dark Arts."
"Sirius, you know that your family aren't that loyal to You-Know-Who."
Sirius snorted. "Yeah, but my brother wants to please Mother and Father, and he's blinded by Voldemort's stupid promises to all that join him. I won't be surprised if he runs away the day after he's recruited."
"He's still your family, Sirius," said Alice softly.
"Family? Ha! The Order is better family than mine ever was. Everyone in the Black family hates me, except for Andromeda. What does that tell you? My cousin, Bellatrix, has probably joined up already with the Death Eaters with her fiancé, Rodolphus Lestrange. Don't expect my family to not do anything to support Voldemort, Al."
"For Merlin's sake, Black, stop saying his name!" snapped Moody irascibly.
Sirius pointedly ignored the Auror, and took a deep breath, calming slightly from his sudden fulmination.
"So you're saying, Prewett, that my best friend and his wife are going to die, just like that?" said Remus slowly.
"That's exactly what I'm saying, Remus," said Gideon pleasantly. He still didn't notice the fact that Remus disliked him immensely. "Does it not make sense to you? May I care to elaborate—"
"No, no, that will be all." Remus didn't want to tempt him with another speech.
"He's already taken over much of Europe," said Fabian statistically, looking over a thick wad of paper. "Let's see now…some of Luxembourg, Germany, nearly all of Britain, France, and a small part of Italy. I hear he's moving toward Ireland soon."
"How do we know you haven't made all this stuff up, then?"
"What on earth? Why would you suspect me of such a thing?" Fabian looked at Remus in astonishment.
"You never know if a member of the Order is an ally or enemy."
"Then how do I know if you're not a spy?"
"'Cause, I'm not!"
"Remus," interrupted Violet soothingly, placing her small hand upon his shoulders. "Please don't start this again. It isn't like old times anymore; this is serious now."
"No need, Violet, I'm fine."
Lily sighed, looking over at the young werewolf, who was currently in despair. She felt terrible for Remus, and her heart went out to him, but what could she possibly do? She couldn't say that she knew how he felt, because she really didn't. First he lost his girlfriend, and was now living under the same roof with her and her boyfriend. Now, he had to suffer more than ever during the full moon periods, and there was always the threat that Voldemort may convince him enough to join the Dark Side.
"Cheer up all, it's the holidays," said Arabella, feigning exuberance. "How about we all head down to Hogsmeade and look at the decorations?"
"You young people can go," muttered Moody. "I'm going back to headquarters. Merlin knows that we need at least some responsible members who are dedicated to the Cause."
"You know, I'm a very responsible member of the Order."
James groaned inwardly, and squeezed his eyes shut. Here we go again, he thought gloomily. Another bickering between Arabella and Moody is not something I want right now.
"Yes, of course you are," said Moody in a sarcastic tone. "Running off to God knows where every single second of your life—so faithful."
"Don't insult me, sir! You are no better, you ugly, you pathetic piece of—"
"Let's go," said Sirius suddenly, dragging Arabella by the arm and Apparating. Arabella sighed, and followed suit, and Remus, Jennifer, Lily, James, Violet, and Jackson went as well.
"Ah, Hogsmeade, it's good to be back once more," said Lily joyously, as she breathed the cold air, and touched the moist snowflakes that were falling.
"Let's go see Emmeline," said Sirius enthusiastically.
"Padfoot, you dolt, she's already graduated from Hogwarts!" James laughed. "She bought a flat in London."
"Darn."
"Now what?"
"Honeydukes," announced Jackson, when no one else would reply. Since there was nothing else to do, they all assented and entered the sweet shop, ready to empty their pockets of gold.
"James Potter, a pleasure to meet you once again," came an oddly familiar oily voice from behind them.
James narrowed his eyes, and turned around. "Snivellus," he hissed venomously.
"Severus!" exclaimed Lily, her hand fluttering up to her mouth, as she clutched James' arm painfully.
"What do you want, Snape?"
"Ah, finally calling me by my given surname, are we, Potter? I guess those nickname days are over, huh?"
"I said, what do you want, Snivelly?"
"Why, I can't say hello to my fellow classmates whom I graduated with two years ago?"
"Oy, over here!"
They turned around yet again to see Emmeline waving her arms cheerfully. She was as pretty as always, with her brown hair framed over her pink cheeks. Around her arm was a handsome man with dark-brown hair and hazel eyes.
"Hey, Em," said Lily.
"I thought you graduated from Hogwarts," said Sirius, puzzled.
"I have, stupid. Can't a girl visit Hogsmeade anyway? Oh, how rude! This is my boyfriend, Randy Smith." She gestured to the man.
"Related to Laura Smith?" persisted James.
"Yes, my deceased younger sister." His eyes clouded, and he looked over at James. "You're James Potter, aren't you? The most famous and youngest Auror at the Ministry."
"Oh, well—er—" James shuffled his feet, his face crimson. "I can't say most famous, but yes, I am an Auror at the Ministry."
Emmeline grinned. "Grown modest, have we, James? Well, Dumbledore sent me the letter asking me to join the you-know-what, so I'll be at you-know-where tonight."
"Excellent," said Arabella. "So, how long have you two been an item?"
"Three months," confirmed Randy, his arm tightening around Emmeline's waist. "Best three months I've ever had in my whole life."
"Em, can we talk?" asked Lily in a strained voice.
"Yes, of course." Emmeline followed Lily to a small corner, puzzled. "What is it, Lils?"
"What happened to Kenneth? Have you given him up?"
"Oh, Lily." Her eyes turned glossy, as she wiped the sleeve of her robes on her nose, sniffling slightly. "I would never give Ken up, no matter what. Kenneth was attacked that day so long ago at Hogsmeade, remember? So he was brought to St. Mungo's for treatment. They had already buried Laura Smith. I frequently visited Ken at St. Mungo's, but a month later, they had told me that his condition was extremely critical. He died a few days later."
"Em, I'm so sorry that I brought that up." Lily hugged the younger girl tightly, as tears threatened to escape her eyes.
"It's quite all right. You should have known sooner or later. That's when I met Randy a little later, and we began dating. You see, I don't love Randy, poor boy, but I respect him. However, Ken will always be in my heart, even if he was a fling at Hogwarts, because I did truly love him."
"Yes, I know you did, Emmeline. Now aren't you glad that I let you have that small break during the prefect meeting on the train?"
Emmeline laughed, her tears dissolving. "Well, duh! I may have been a complete ditz back then, but hey, I was good with the guys."
"Shall we go back?" Lily offered, taking the girl's hand in her own and squeezing it comfortingly.
"We shall."
***
"What am I going to tell him, Bella?"
Lily clutched her stomach as if it was going to fall off any second. Her green eyes inspected her best friend carefully, as she continuously smoothed down her thick, dark red hair with her other hand. One small white finger wrapped a strand of hair around it, as she chewed her hair thoughtfully.
"First of all, Lily, take that hair out of your mouth. Secondly, just tell James the truth: you're pregnant."
"Do you even know how he's going to take that piece of information, Bella? James will freak out, and maybe he won't even want the baby."
"Oh, for Merlin's sake, why wouldn't he want the baby? James is a very paternal sort of person, though I really can't see how at this moment. However, you know that he loves you and would never leave you."
"I'm not sure if he does anymore."
Arabella dropped her hands that she had unconsciously been holding up in mid-air, and stared at Lily, open-mouthed. "Of course James loves you. You remember how he chased you back in our fifth year, constantly asking you to go out with him. He tried so hard just to gain your friendship in our sixth year, and finally had your heart in seventh year. Now you're saying the boy doesn't love you anymore? You're paranoid, Lils."
"Still, if James finds out…"
"Find out what?"
Lily jumped up, and looking around, saw James come into the house, a hand running through his black hair. He grinned at his wife, and waved merrily, raising an eyebrow at the worried look upon her face.
"Why the long look, Lily? Are you hiding a naughty secret from your dear husband? You know that's not very nice of you."
"A secret? Certainly not!"
James rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Tell me when you want to, Lily. I'm going to fix something to eat. Boy, it's already two days before Christmas Eve, huh? Time sure flies." He went to the kitchen, humming to himself.
"I can't tell him," said Lily sadly, watching him leave.
"If you won't, I will."
"WHAT?"
"You heard me."
"Arabella Figg, you will not tell my husband that his wife is pregnant. That's so unromantic."
"Well, you're the one who won't tell him, so do you expect to go up to him when your water breaks one day and say, 'Hey James, give me a ride to St. Mungo's, I have to get my baby delivered'."
Lily laughed despite of herself. "You're right, I'm being ridiculous. However, I won't tell him just yet."
"Then when will you tell him?"
"Christmas Day. That'll give him an extra gift, won't it?"
"That's the spirit."
"You know what else is ironic?"
"What?"
"Alice is pregnant, too."
Arabella squealed so loudly that James came bounding out of the kitchen, his hand flying involuntarily to his hair.
"What the hell, Bella? What is it? Death Eaters? Voldemort?"
"Alice is pregnant!" she squeaked joyfully. "Can you believe it? Oh, now we know what she and Frank have been doing, locked up in their bedroom all the time…"
"Ugh, stop, Bells," scolded Lily, groaning. "You perverted individual."
James smiled. "That's great. I'll have to congratulate Alice and Frank the next time I see them. Frank must be really proud, now being a father. Wonder if it'll be a boy or a girl."
"James, if we ever had a baby"—Lily hesitated—"would you be mad?"
"Mad? Why would I be?"
James looked at his wife wonderingly, as she paled visibly. He frowned. What was wrong with Lily? She had been acting very strange lately, not her usual laughing self and sulked every day, looking out of the window flaccidly even at meetings. He had a fleeting thought that perhaps Voldemort was taking over her brain, but he vetoed the idea at once. Lily was too strong for people to take over herself.
"I don't know. Maybe you don't want a baby."
"Of course I want a baby…especially a boy. Then I'd name him Harry."
"Why is that?" (A/N: Even though I didn't mention this, Dumbledore had already cleared the memories that Lily and James, as well as anyone else had of the future. Also, let's pretend the headmaster doesn't know about the future either.)
"I don't know; it just sounds good in my ears. 'Sides, my grandfather was named Harry Daniel Potter. So if we ever have a boy, we shall name him Harry James Potter. It's a tradition for Potters to name their sons after relatives, especially with their middle names be the first name of their father."
For the first time in a long time, Lily gave a true smile. To see James so worked up over planning the names of their future children gave her hope that perhaps he wouldn't disown her when she would tell him that she was pregnant. James' hazel eyes were shining as he excitedly chattered on about the Potter history, and how their children would be all he and Lily would teach them.
"I love you, James," she whispered, hugging him.
"My, what brought this on?" However, he was pleased, and kissed her forehead softly.
"I'm just really happy, that's all, and I do love you."
"Well, I'm glad that you're not who you used to be: that little redhead girl with a terrible temper and a sharp tongue—Evans."
Lily laughed. "I'm still a redhead, and I have a temper and a sharp tongue. Don't think I changed that much, James."
"Oh, but you have. You used to be so pushy when it came to boys, that no boys would go near you. I was the only one brave enough."
"Yeah, right. That was because you threatened to hex them for eternity if they ever went near me."
James blushed, and scratched the back of his neck, feeling ashamed. He had never realized that he had done such terrible things back at Hogwarts, cursing people whom he didn't like at first sight, especially Snape, and showing off every day with his Snitch and his hexing abilities. Sadly, many people had looked up to him because he was "Mr. Perfect". Only he, his friends, and Lily knew that he truly wasn't perfect, but only she had the nerve to tell it to his face.
You know you deserved that, said a nagging voice in his mind. If Evans didn't tell you to stop being a kid and grow up, then you would've still been that arrogant berk. Seriously, you have a cold heart, James Potter.
His eyes widened, and he looked over at Lily pleadingly. "Do you think I should be in Slytherin?"
"What?" Lily looked up in surprise. "Why?"
"'Cause I used to hex people all the time back at Hogwarts, and that's a real low thing to do to anyone and anything."
"Oh, James, you're a true Gryffindor. Everyone goes through a period where they show off to get attention. Yours was just much longer, because you really did have something to show off."
"Thanks, Lils." He grinned. "If we ever do have a kid, I'll make sure he or she'll be just like you."
-
"Where's my wand?" screeched Sirius, looking around the room.
"It's right in your hand, you dolt," replied Arabella, giggling. "Oh, let's open the presents now, please?"
"Not until everyone arrives, Bella," admonished Lily, peering over to the brunette through the tinsel on the Christmas tree.
"Why couldn't your parents have used Floo Powder?"
"They're Muggles; you can't expect them to be so comfortable with the Wizarding ways, can you?"
"My Mum is."
"She's a Squib, and Squibs still know everything about the Wizarding world; they just can't perform those things with a wand."
Arabella thought about it for a moment. "You're right, I guess."
"I'm always right, aren't I?"
James grinned from where he was standing, eating a piece of toast. "See, Padfoot, I told you we Potters are never humble. This is what you get for marrying me, Lily—now you're confident too. It's not egotistical; it's simply knowing what you're about."
Lily was about to retort, but stopped mid-way, realizing that James was right. Though he had done some arrogant things, she realized that he wasn't always like that. Sure, he hexed people, but he grew out of that. He was simply very confident of himself, and never fumbling…a trait that Lily hated. She always looked down on people who "fumbled", and who were too unsure of themselves and weak. No, Lily knew that she was confident, too. Perhaps that was why she was attracted to James at first sight at the Hogwarts Express when she was just about to start Hogwarts. There was some sort of pride and determination in the eleven-year-old Potter's face as he had stepped out of the Ministry car with his head held high and his eyes with a sense of purpose in them. Maybe James wasn't always immature after all.
"You're right," agreed Lily.
"I am?" James looked surprised. "Er—thanks."
"You've taught me something, Potter. I should never be humble about myself. When I first met you, I thought you were the most self-centered and egotistical individual I had ever met, and too full of yourself. However, now I know that you were never full of yourself—well, maybe a little sometimes—but you were just very sure of what you were doing all the time, or tried to be. It's not egotism, now know—it's trying to show that you're a strong person with nothing to hold you down."
"Isn't that a little too nice?" said Sirius dubiously. "I mean, come on, I've known Prongs longer, and he really was a bit conceited."
"Yeah, I don't think my intentions were that angelic."
Lily raised an eyebrow. "Oh, so now you're trying to be modest? Puh-lease, James, that is so not your area of expertise."
"Well, I thought I was good at everything." He grinned in a cocky manner.
"Hey, guys," said Jennifer cheerfully, coming in with a tray of hot chocolate and chocolate-chip cookies. "You all hungry?"
"Am I!" exclaimed Sirius, bounding for the food. He grabbed a cookie and munched on it enthusiastically. "Thanks, Jen."
She smiled. "Always the same, aren't you, Sirius?"
"Where did you come from?" asked James, helping himself to a cookie as well, though more calmly than his best friend.
"Floo Powder. I didn't feel like Apparating then knocking, so I decided to get here from my fireplace. Say, where's Gideon and Remus?"
Jennifer and Remus had recovered their old friendship a few weeks ago, and now they were as close as ever. Their friends knew, of course, that they were still in love with each other, Remus being a little more obvious than his ex-girlfriend was. Jennifer claimed lately that she was in love with Gideon Prewett and adored his twin brother, Fabian, but the girls knew that she was lying, though they admitted that she was quite talented in that area. Jennifer was still in love with Remus, though she denied it constantly to her friends.
"They're not here yet," replied Lily, "which is why Bella and I are going to take this chance and tell you to admit it."
"What're you on about?"
"Don't pretend like you don't know, Jen. You know you love Remus."
Jennifer nearly dropped the tray that she had been holding. "What gives you an idea like that? Our relationship is over, and there's no vestige of it at all. We're starting over with friendship, like when we were kids."
There was a snort after her comment, probably from Sirius. No one truly believed the veracity of her denial, of course, since it was too obvious that Jennifer pined for Remus even when she was with Gideon.
"Liar," mumbled Arabella, standing up from where she was sitting, and brushed back her brown curly locks. "I'm going to get Violet and Jackson. They're probably doing a naughty deed back in their apartment."
"No," said Lily a bit loudly than intended. "What if you walk in on them doing that 'naughty' deed? That would be so humiliating, not to mention disturbing."
"Oh, how could I have forgotten? Watching Violet and Jackson having s—"
"I have everyone's presents," interrupted Jennifer, a faint blush upon her cheeks. "Shall I put them under the tree?"
"Please do, Jen."
A few hours later, after everyone else had come and presents were opened, Lily was debating on how to tell James about the baby. She was biting her nails through the Christmas dinner while everyone else was laughing and gaily chatting about their plans for that day, and only James and her friends noticed her peculiar behavior. However, only James didn't know why she was behaving such, so he sat there, worried, while Sirius was knocking him off his chair every five minutes, being drunk and all.
Lily stood up, unable to bear it anymore. She had to tell him, no matter what his reaction would be.
"James, can I talk to you?"
She wants some kind of divorce, thought James, panicking. I must be a really bad husband to her.
"What is it, Lily?" he questioned anxiously. "What did I do? I promise to be a better husband from now on!"
"No, James, it's not you. I—I don't know how to say this."
"You're cheating on me." His voice was flat.
"WHAT! You know I'd never, dear. No, it's just that I'm—pregnant."
There was a pause and then silence. James' jaw dropped as he stared at his wife incredulously. However, he thought of her odd behavior recently and how Lily had no energy for many things. Also, she had been constantly talking about "Harry" and if they had a baby, what they would do.
Suddenly, he broke into a wide grin. He was a father…a real father! He knew that his dad would be proud of him. He was a father now, someone that his kid would look up to some day.
"I'm a father!" he exclaimed loudly, and all the Order members got out of their seats to watch Lily and James' tender embrace.
Emmeline Vance smiled from where she sat in her stately attire. She had a sad smile now, not the seductive one she flashed in her Hogwarts days. Kenneth Hughes had changed her life, even though they had gotten together in the most unexpected way. However, the cruelty of life had taken him away from her, and now she was no longer that flirting and prissy little girl she was back in her schoolgirl days. She no longer wore those cut-off robes down to only her knees, but had an austere and prim adornment. Nevertheless, it had not vetoed her passion for life, and her spirit. Perhaps she would have been a good Gryffindor after all. After all, though her own love life was lost and would never be recovered, she was still a hopeless romantic and softened whenever she saw a touching moment between a couple in love…especially Lily and James. The latter did not know how much inspiration they evoked for the people of the Wizarding and Muggle worlds, and how they would in the future.
***
"Padfoot, really," said James in a panicking voice. "Come with me. I need someone to take Lily to St. Mungo's." (A/N: Is that where they get the babies delivered? Well, it's going to be now!)
"Why would you want to go to St. Mungo's?" murmured Sirius sleepily through the flames in the fireplace. He was in his own apartment, and Arabella was sleeping in the next room. "You sick, Prongs?"
"Lily's baby is coming!"
"WHAT?" Sirius scrambled to his feet, now very wide-awake. "Well, why didn't you say so, Prongs? I'll get Bella."
He hollered for his girlfriend in her room. "Bella!"
Arabella groaned, and sat up, rubbing her eyes and yawning. "Why the hell are you calling me up in this hour, Sirius? It's only seven o'clock and a Saturday. Go back to sleep, will you?"
"Lily's baby is coming!"
Her reaction was quite similar to her boyfriend's. She hurriedly dressed into a navy blue pair of robes and Apparated to the Potter Estate along with a half-dressed Sirius.
"We can't have her Apparate," she said gravely. "It'll kill her. So will Floo Powder. So now what do we do?"
"Call Violet," advised Lily, breathing heavily. "Oh, James, what do I do?"
"Calm down, Lils, we'll think of something."
So Violet and Jackson, whom were both already awake by then, Apparated to the Order headquarters. Both were very composed, unlike the other four best friends, who had been in frenzy before that.
"You're right that Apparating is out, but Floo Powder is the only other way," said Violet.
"But—"
"James! Listen, we don't have time to drive all the way there. We're Flooing, and that's that."
So they had gotten Lily to the hospital, and she had been in labor for quite a few hours. Remus and Jennifer had arrived soon after Lily and the rest of the group, and they were all waiting outside the room where they could hear Lily's faint screaming inside the room.
James was twiddling his thumbs, and looked around him nervously. His eyes rested on a tall and very comely young man, looking up at the ceiling. When the man turned his face to him, he gasped.
"Frank?"
"James?"
"What're you doing here?" asked Sirius. "You hear about Lily and her baby?"
"No, I'm here for Alice," he replied, puzzled. "What…Lily's having her baby, too?"
When they nodded, Frank grinned. "I guess our kids are going to be born on the same day, hey, James?"
James nodded, feeling slightly calmer. At least there was someone who was in the exact same position as he was in at the moment.
"Jamie here's been worried all day," said Sirius, his eyes drooping. "Woke me up at seven in the morning."
"We've been here since six," put in Frank, sighing. "Poor Al…you two decide on a name yet? If we have a boy, it'll be Neville after his grandfather. If a girl, then Jackie."
"Harry if it's a boy," confirmed James, "and we don't know the name if it's a girl. If it's a boy, he'll be Harry James."
"Harry James Potter," repeated Frank, and said it to himself several times. "Harry James Potter—I like it! That name will be his most prized possession for the rest of his life, that will. Maybe others will like it so much, and tell it to their friends so that everyone will know him!"
Little did he know that that statement would come true.
A few more hours later, when James, Frank, and everyone else were asleep on the chairs, a kind-faced Healer came out of the room where Lily was and tapped James' shoulder.
"Are you the young husband of Lily Potter?" she queried softly.
James jerked awake and stared blearily at her. "Yeah, Lily's my wife."
"You have a son, sir. You may come in if you wish."
He hurriedly complied and went in the room. There, Lily was fast asleep, her dark red hair framed over her pale face. Next to her in a small bed, a small baby was sleeping. Though he was only an infant, he already had a very small patch of light black hair. James grinned. Harry already had his hair. The baby suddenly woke up and started to cry, waking Lily up in the process. In closer inspection, he saw that the baby's eyes were a bright, brilliant green…Lily's eyes.
Tears came to James' own hazel eyes as he smiled at Lily, who gave him a weak smile in return.
"He's beautiful," he whispered softly. "Harry James Potter. He's got your eyes, Lily."
"He's got your hair and nearly all your looks," replied Lily lovingly. "He'll be the replica of you when he's older, James."
"I hope his personality, however, is exactly like his mother's. I learned from my mistakes, but I don't want little Harry here to be the bullying prat I was at school."
"Harry Potter. It's a wonderful name, dear," complimented the Healer kindly. "You are the famous young Auror, James Potter, are you not? The son of Daniel and Sarah Potter, our most elite Aurors at the Ministry?"
James blushed and grinned. "Nah, we Potters aren't that great. It's sort of a tradition for us to become Aurors, because we've always had 'nothing to fear or lose'. My grandfather came up with a quote for our family: 'Us Potters have always been bold, smart-alecks, but nothing can take away our spirit.' I do hope that my son can carry that out as well, as a legacy to the Potters before and after us."
"Well said, Mr. Potter. Who knows, maybe your son will become a famous Auror like you and the rest of your family someday." The Healer smiled indulgently at James and then looked over at Lily. "Dear, you're the talk of us Healers here at St. Mungo's. We've always admired you from the first time we saw your picture in the Daily Prophet. You and your husband have always been a source of admiration for most of us in the Wizarding world. We all know that you will do great things in the future."
Lily smiled politely and nodded. However, she wasn't so sure on the inside that she would be brilliant. Everyone seemed to think that she and James were the most wonderful Aurors in the Ministry, and would do great things in the future, but what could she do? They were just a bunch of young kids, fresh out of Hogwarts for only a few years, in love. Maybe she, James, and little Harry were destined for great things in the future, but she'd never know now.
By then, everyone came into her room, and she squealed with joy at the knowledge that Alice gave birth to her baby boy, Neville, as well. It was a memorable moment, with all the friends standing around a tired but exhilarated Lily and the Potters' newborn son. It seemed as though the happiness would never end.
Unfortunately, that was not the case.
The year of 1980 passed by quickly, and by then it was September of 1981. Sirius and Arabella were married in the June of that year, and Harry was already one year old. However, the events around them were not that cheerful. Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters were dominating all of Europe, and moving on into the West, into the States, where the Wizarding community was extremely powerful, even more so than in Europe. Of course, more power attracted Voldemort.
The Order was getting frantic. Nearly half of their members were dead or captured. Gideon and Fabian were both dead, killed by Death Eaters. They had been brave and loyal to the Order, fighting until the end. Jennifer had been in a state of depression ever since the incident, because even though she hadn't been deeply in love with Gideon, she liked him very much, and he had treated her well. Others among the dead was Marlene McKinnon, whom the Death Eaters had killed along with the rest of her family. Dorcas Meadowes and Edgar Bones were also killed, the former murdered personally by Voldemort.
However, the most dramatic change in their lives was the fact that Voldemort was now after Lily and James. No one, not even Dumbledore, knew really why, except for the fact that it was something about a prophecy. Sirius, of course, had been made the Secret Keeper, because James trusted him with all his heart. However, many of the Order members were doubtful. Trust a Black to keep a secret such as this? Preposterous! The Blacks have been known to be supporters of the Dark Arts, not the Light. Nevertheless, James held a firm foot on his decision, and everyone soon relented. However, no one knew that Lily, James, and Sirius changed the Secret Keeper to be Peter. Remus didn't even know, because Sirius didn't trust him anymore. He was a werewolf, and werewolves were easily influenced…who knew if Remus was really on their side.
So they had chosen Peter, since he was the other best friend that Lily and James could rely on. No one suspected Peter to be anything but loyal to the Order. No one suspected that Peter's loyalties were already divided.
Lily and James were now living in Godric's Hollow. It was the safest place for hiding, and Voldemort would probably never suspect it.
"I don't know, James," said Lily quietly. "There's something I can't put my finger on. Maybe we shouldn't have changed Secret Keepers."
"What could possibly possess you to say that, Lils? You don't trust Peter?"
"I don't know, James," she repeated. "It's a feeling I have. About something that's going to happen soon."
"Maybe you're just worrying too much."
"You think?"
"You need a break, Lily. You've been tiring yourself at the Ministry too much. Live a little. Look at the beautiful fall landscape outside. There's nothing like fall in England, huh? Today's Halloween, we should celebrate.
"Except for the fact that we can't even see our friends often anymore, and we can barely go outside for fear that Voldemort would pop up any moment and kill us along with poor Harry. I'm scared, James."
James sighed, and looked away. "So am I, Lily. So am I."
Silence followed, and it was only shattered when there was a piercing cry from baby Harry from his crib. Lily hurriedly went to him, and picked him up gently, humming a soft lullaby in process. James watched his wife and son tenderly from the corner of his eye, and held out his arms.
"Let me hold him."
Lily handed him Harry, and he rocked his fragile son like he was a piece of glass. Harry gurgled, and looked up at his father with large almond-shaped green eyes that sparkled brightly. His small hand went up to the growing tuft of black hair on his head, and squealed.
"Look at him!" exclaimed Lily, laughing. "Already like you, James, messing up his hair like you used to do when you were at Hogwarts."
"Nah." The father shook his head. "I don't think Harry's like me at all, Lily. There's something about him that I can't just put my finger on. I actually feel myself vibrate whenever I hold him, and I feel a sense of power radiate from his body. This boy will grow up to be powerful, Lils. I can feel it. He may look like me, but he has your personality, and that's something that Harry's blessed with. Having my type of personality is something he'd hate me for when he grows older."
"You aren't that bad."
"Oh?"
"You aren't an arrogant, bullying toerag anymore, that's for sure. Why else would I have married you? I wouldn't have looked at you twice if you didn't change and start to actually grow up in our sixth year."
"You were rather harsh on me, though, I have to say. You hated everything about me, and were suspicious whenever I did a good deed. By Merlin, it was as if I was the Devil himself."
Lily was quiet for a few moments before she spoke. "I have that feeling again, James."
"Lily…"
"No. I have to tell you this. I feel as if we'll get killed and won't be together again. However, I have a feeling that Harry will live. We will die, but Harry will live and thrive in the Wizarding world once more, and defeat Voldemort."
"Oh, so now you're like Trelawney, that old hag?"
"James, I'm serious. I know it sounds complete ludicrous and fantastic, but it's a strong feeling that I just can't shake off."
"You could've at least spared off the part where we're supposed to die. I'm only twenty-one, and I have my whole life ahead of me. We're the famous pair of Aurors at the Ministry, and everyone knows and respects us. I'm not about to have my life ended by some insane Dark wizard who's going to take over the world."
"What if it's true, James? What if we do die, but Harry miraculously lives?"
James looked thoughtful for a moment, as he rocked Harry back to sleep again. "Harry will be a hero, then. He'll be popular as soon as he steps onto the grounds of Hogwarts, though many people might fear him. He'll be kinder and more considerate than I ever was, and wouldn't be cocky, arrogant, or cruel. He'll grow up to be exactly how I'd want my son to be." Tears came to his eyes as he said this.
"No one will watch him, though."
"Plenty of people will. Sirius, Remus, Peter, and your friends, not to mention the rest of the Order."
"James, what happens if those people can't watch him?"
"Then Harry will have to raise himself up without us. Lily, why are you brooding about this? It's not like this is really going to happen."
A loud knock interrupted James, and Lily clutched her husband's arm fearfully, her heart pounding loudly.
"Lily, take Harry and go! Go! Run! It's him! I'll hold him off—"
The door flew wide open, revealing the skeleton-like body of Lord Voldemort. He laughed harshly, and his red eyes scrutinized the scene.
"James Potter, we meet again," he said softly. "I remember you as a boy at Hogwarts. Rude, arrogant, just like your parents. However, there needn't be any reason for you to be anymore. I will make this death quick and painless, shall I?"
"You'll never get me," hissed James, clutching his wand. "Expelliarmus!"
"Avada Kedavra!" roared Voldemort.
James' eyes widened, as his body turned stiff and fell to the floor with a thump. His expression was a mixture of fear and also of determination. Though he did not want to, he had been prepared to die. His wand had dropped and shattered to the floor.
Lily gasped, as she held Harry tighter to her chest. No, it couldn't be. She looked over at her husband's dead body, as tears ran down her cheeks. James Henry Potter, the man she had known ever since she was eleven, was dead. Her love, the light of her life besides her son, was gone.
Memories of her Hogwarts days flashed in Lily's mind. The first train ride to Hogwarts…she and James glaring at each other…getting Jennifer and Remus together…dancing with James…laughing with James…James proposing…James kissing her…
It was all too painful. Though they did not like each other many times in their life, they were still in love. Now, James was gone. She stared at his face, her whole body shaking. If Voldemort would kill her, she would be prepared for it.
"Please," she whispered. "Not Harry, not Harry!"
"Stand aside now, girl, stand aside—"
"Please, not Harry! I'll do anything!"
"Stand aside, you silly girl."
"Take me, kill me instead."
There, she had said it. She wanted Harry to live and flourish. She didn't want him to die at the hands of this man. Lily wanted to see her baby boy grow up, marry, and be happy, and she would risk her life to see that happen.
"Avada Kedavra!"
Lily's body landed right next to James'.
***
Hagrid wiped away tears as he saw the scene. The Potter's hiding place at Godric's Hollow was completely destroyed. The house was torn down, all their belongings broken. Lily and James' bodies were lying next to each other near where baby Harry was crying softly.
"There, there," he whispered, picking the small bundle up into his large arms. "Yer going't be all right, little fellow."
He looked over at Lily and James' bodies. "Lily, James, how could this have happened? You two're the greatest wizard and witch I's ever known."
Hagrid then looked at Harry and gave a small smile. He looked just like his dad, but had his mum's eyes. He also had both of his parent's strength and will to fight.
"Yer going't be a great wizard someday, 'arry," he said gently to the baby, who had stopped crying. "Yer parents were good people. Greatest people I's ever known. They were in love, and they never gave up n'matter what happened."
He stared at the Potters' bodies once more. "Ye can fin'lly rest in peace now, Lily an' James."
Hagrid flew off on Sirius' motorbike with Harry. Memories of a bygone period gently floated into the still dark atmosphere, an era both terrible and wonderful, and disappeared into the night.
- - - - -
Disclaimer: I own nothing and J.K. Rowling owns everything.
A/N: Whoo-hooo! Cheer for me here, people! This is the final chapter of "Lily and James Potter: Their Story"! There will be an epilogue, of course, but this is the final installment of the story itself. It know it was rather crappy, because I'm really busy right now, but I rather liked the ending…nice and angsty, don't you think? Oh, I had a blast at Washington D.C., and I apologize effusively for the large delay in updating this chappie.
Thank you to all my reviewers! I, unfortunately, don't have time to thank you individually, so I'll thank you as a group! :D