Disclaimer: Not mine, Chiho Saito/J.K. Rowling, yah?

A/N: Oh gosh, I've just typed this out and haven't really double-checked it for errors (too tired to notice them at this point, anyway). But I really want to post this tonight since I won't have time tomorrow. I really ought to reread this whole story to make sure all the bits and pieces fit together…anyway, yeah. Read & review please :)

Chapter 6 – Rumors and Insinuations

James was stopped several times in the office the next morning by people with congratulatory remarks and aghast exclamations of, "Why the hell are you in the office?! GO HOME TO YOUR WIFE!"

It wasn't that he wanted to be at the office…it was just that he'd forgotten something in his desk. His spare glasses, actually. That morning he'd been so startled by his new surroundings that he'd fallen out of the sofa, hit the table, and then smashed his glasses as he fumbled for them on the floor. Then he couldn't find his wand to repair them right away, and by the time Lily had come out of the shower, some of the pieces of glass had been ground to such an extent that she'd declared the glasses beyond repair.

He sighed. He had eaten a quiet breakfast with her before leaving. She'd been beautiful, as always, but that just seemed to make things even more awkward than they already were. They'd made plans for that afternoon to sit down and discuss some new leads Dumbledore had spoken to Terrence about earlier that week. At least they could still discuss things on the professional level without awkward pauses and averted glances, thought James. The thought didn't make him feel much better about anything. There was just something so—wrong—about this marriage. He'd never imagined that he would marry a girl as part of a business agreement! Or that any girl he would marry would be like Lily Evans…

He thought about his old ideals as he walked down Diagon Alley later. Between Gringott's and the apothecary, he was stopped again—twice.

The first time, a cloaked figure bumped shoulders with him as he walked down the road outside Flourish and Blott's. It had been odd, as the street wasn't busy and there was no need for crowding. He'd turned, startled, to apologize when the figure had pulled back his hood to reveal the dark hair and piercing eyes of Evan Rosier.

"Ah," had been all he could say. The apology froze on his lips. Rosier paused and appraised him silently for two seconds. Then, just as James was bristling with a rude remark, Rosier smiled coldly and leaned in.

"Are you really sure," he said softly, his beautiful features settling into a placid, smiling mask, "that you're the father of Lily's baby?"

James' eyes widened. Before he could think of a reply, Rosier pulled his hood back up and continued on his way without a backward glance. He was met half-way down the street by a man with dark blonde hair that shimmered in the sunlight. Travers. He, too, was watching James with an indecipherable expression on his face.

James stood still, momentarily stunned, and then his brow furrowed. What would Rosier know about something like this? And he seemed to be familiar with Lily…they were on first-name terms, now, were they? Did they have a past that he didn't know about? Rosier had been a year behind James at Hogwarts, which would be a year above Lily. Or, wait, were he and Lily in the same year? And what about Travers? Travers was from the year above James'…surely he wouldn't have…? No, that couldn't be…

He continued down the street toward the apothecary's, a frown set on his face, and shoved his hands deep in his pockets. Could Rosier be the baby's father? Everyone knew about his promiscuity and prejudice against Muggle-borns. What if he'd gotten Lily pregnant and refused to marry her because she wasn't a pureblood? Lily certainly wouldn't be the only woman he dallied with. Was Lily too ashamed to admit that her baby's father was some whoring prettyboy who had undoubtedly fathered a number of other children without owning up to it?

James could feel his fists clenching and he slowed his pace as he neared the apothecary, taking a few deep breaths. Then again, James comforted himself, Lily could hardly have been stupid enough to get involved with Rosier. She could have nearly any man she wanted, wizard or muggle, from her vast acquaintance…why choose Rosier? She wouldn't have been so stupid.

Then again, James realized, Lily wasn't the type he'd have expected to end up with an unplanned pregnancy, either. Perhaps there was more to this than he thought…

The jingling of the bell above the apothecary's door made him come to his senses and he stepped aside as someone stepped out of the building. He waited for a few seconds, and when the figure still didn't move, he looked up.

It was the lean, cunning face of Wilkes above dark cloak and robes. He smirked and touched two fingers to his hat at James; then took a step down to the street so they were face to face. He looked James straight in the eye and said clearly, still smirking, "You look exhausted, Potter. Lily's quite demanding at night, isn't she? Ah, but then, she's pregnant now…" He laughed mockingly as he walked away.

What was THAT supposed to mean?? James turned to watch Wilkes slink down the street and disappear around the corner toward Knockturn. He remembered Wilkes, Travers, and Rosier all staring at Lily after he'd accidentally let slip about the pregnancy. Especially Rosier, who hadn't even noticed his mangled hand…

James bought the required herbs at the apothecary's and headed back home. Once he'd delivered his purchases to the house-elf, he shut himself in his new study to think things through. After an infuriating hour during which he still couldn't make anything of the situation, he realized there was only one thing he could do. He pitched a fistful of powder into the fireplace and summoned Sirius Black.

"Prongs, I'm surprised at you," said Sirius, stepping through the fireplace. He flung his leather jacket over the back of an armchair and raised an eyebrow at his best friend. "Second day of marriage and you're already ignoring your wife. What kind of husband are you?"

"Shut up and answer some questions for me," James said irritably, pacing the room. "What do you know about Rosier, Wilkes, and Travers?"

Sirius frowned. "What do you mean? The three of them…well, Rosier and Wilkes might be Death Eaters, despite Rosier's donations to noble causes and all that. We're currently investigating them…you, of all people, should know that!"

"No, no," James waved this impatiently aside. "What I mean is, do you know anything about them having a…past…with Lily?"

"A past with Lily?" Sirius' eyes widened. "She wouldn't!"

"That's what I'm trying to make certain of," James replied grimly.

"Well…let me think for a minute here…" Sirius looked away pensively. "I think Rosier and Lily might have dated…I remember hearing Hestia and Marlene talking about it…back in Hogwarts. Nothing serious, though. And Wilkes…well, I just don't know. But don't they all frequent the same sort of nightclubs? Aside from the 'purebloods-only' variety, I mean," he added hastily. "I do remember Lily having quite an active social life, if you know what I mean, prior to her leaving for France…actually, I remember her going to a lot of clubs and parties even after she came back…"

"All right," James grimaced. "I suppose that helps."

"What do you need to know this for, anyway?" Sirius asked suspiciously. "You don't think Lily'd have anything to do with those blokes now, do you?" He let out a bark of laughter and clapped James a few times on the back. "Her a pregnant woman and everything! Besides, she's so obviously in love with you…"

James nodded absent-mindedly and escorted Sirius out. They arranged to meet at a local pub in a week's time, along with Remus and Peter, and Sirius apparated away. James returned to his study, deep in thought.

Later that evening, after an afternoon of work and a pleasant dinner during which James and Lily actually had an interesting, non-hostile argument about Quidditch—James having been brought up a fan of Puddlemere United, while Lily argued that the Montrose Magpies were a far better team—James walked into the bedroom to find Lily just slipping on some shoes to match her black, skimpy robes.

She looked up when he came in and smiled. "Ah, James—I was just about to go look for you. You can have the bed tonight—I'm going out for a party and probably won't be back until early in the morning."

"A party?!" exclaimed James, shocked. "You're leaving the second night we're married to go to a party, pregnant and alone?!?!"

"Yeh, looks like it," Lily grinned as she picked up her handbag and wand from the table. She walked up to James and pecked him on one corner of his mouth, then winked. "You ought to go out and have some fun, too, James. It's written into our agreement and everything. Ta!"

Going out?!?!?! Partying?!?!?! James' mind shrieked, as Lily apparated away. With Rosier, Wilkes, and Travers?

But she'd said—it was written into the agreement. James summoned the parchment from his personal dressing room and scanned its contents. Yes, there it was—"is allowed full freedom to indulge in whatever social activities he or she desires, with discretion." Perhaps he ought to follow her. What if she—

James shook his head suddenly. No. If this was the way Lily wanted it, then so be it. After all, it was only a marriage in name. He was under no obligation to feel responsible for her actions and if she wanted to ruin her health and that of her baby's, it was her choice. She was an adult; she would take care of herself. He set his jaw and went back to the study to finish some files.

Early the next morning, James came out of the shower in his robe to find Lily curled up on the sofa, fast asleep. She hadn't bothered to change out of her robes from the night before, but her hair was down in curls around her shoulders and her face was pale and free of makeup. She must have stumbled in while he was in the shower, James mused, and simply tumbled onto the first soft surface she could find. He hadn't slept in the bed the night before, preferring to stay with the sofa (it didn't make much of a difference to him anyway), but Lily must not have noticed. She was cuddled into the blankets James had just recently abandoned, and her breathing was deep and regular. James paused to watch her sleep.

Lily shifted, making a small sound as she tried to adjust the pillow against the arm of the sofa. James sighed, then gently slipped his arms beneath her and lifted. He carried Lily to the bed and tucked her in, pulling the coverlet up to her chin and smoothing her hair over the pillows. She mumbled something in her sleep and smiled slightly, clutching the blankets closer.

He remained bent over her for a few moments, just watching her sleep. Her face, though pale, looked young and childlike; her long lashes curled darkly against her cheeks and her lips, slightly parted, were full and pink. He wondered at the innocent expression on her face and hoped fervently that she knew what she was doing. She heaved a sigh in her sleep and turned to lie on her back. As the light hit her face, James noticed the slight swelling under her eyes…she looked exhausted.

"Lily's quite demanding at night, isn't she?" Wilkes' voice echoed suddenly in James' mind.

He must have shuddered involuntarily; Lily's eyes slowly flickered open, and James noticed just in time to take a quick step away from the bed before she could get them all the way open and focused.

She pushed herself up on her arms, blinking sleepily in the light. "Wha—" Her voice was rough, heavy with sleep. She cleared her throat and began again. "What am I doing here? In bed?"

James turned away swiftly and looked elsewhere, half-hiding his head in a towel as he rubbed his wet hair. "Don't sleep on the sofa," he said, his voice brusque. "If Terrence were to find out I let you sleep on the sofa he'd have me beaten within an inch of my life."

Lily's eyes widened at James' tone. She sat up and slowly got out of bed, running her fingers through her hair as it cascaded down her back. "Oh, yes, that's right…Terrence would blame you…and I said I would prevent that, in the agreement…"

James rushed on, heedless of anything she was saying. "And don't you think you're overdoing this partying thing at night??"

Lily turned to him with a start.

James was staring at a wall as he continued. "It's bad for the baby, but I guess you don't care enough about that to stop. Why do you have to go out…is it because you have to spend every night with the baby's father?"

Immediately Lily's eyes flashed and she turned to shout at James. "How could you say something like that?!"

"Don't try to hide it, Lily!" James shouted back, throwing his towel on the ground in disgust. "Who's the father? I know it's one of those three!"

"'Those three'?? What are you talking about, you idiot?!"

"THE THREE OF YOUR BOYFRIENDS YOU HAD COME TO THE WEDDING, JUST TO MAKE A FOOL OUT OF ME!" yelled James, fully irate and completely losing control. A few picture frames fell off their places on the walls. He took a deep breath. "Travers—he's already married, bet you didn't know that, did you? Wilkes is a smooth talker but catch him keeping friends that aren't able to give him anything more material in return for his friendship! He wouldn't want a baby, wouldn't know what to do with it! And Rosier—he's got a pretty face, but he's leagues into debt now, though most people don't know that yet, and he's a complete whore! Not to mention that all three of them, excepting maybe Travers but we're not so sure…are under investigation because they might be Death Eaters!"

James spun to face Lily with blazing eyes. "Terrence wouldn't approve of any of them, oh no! Which is why you had to pick ME to play the part of ideal husband and father, isn't it! Well, just say it, then! Who's the real father of the baby?!"

Lily's head was bent. In three rapid strides, James was standing in front of her and had tilted her chin up. He drew a sharp breath and almost took a step backwards when he saw her face.

Instead of anger or defeat, there was a sad, desperate look on her flushed face and tears were falling silently from her eyes.

James didn't know what to do, but he suddenly felt ashamed and doubtful. He could be mistaken, and he had jumped to conclusions and accused Lily of—

"You've forgotten," she whispered. "It was part of the agreement that you never ask about the baby's father." James could feel his face burning. He'd let himself get carried away with his conjectures and frustration. What had happened to all his resolve to let Lily do whatever she wanted in peace, as long as she didn't cause a commotion? They had just gotten to be…well, if not friends, then almost friends…and now—now he'd ruined it all.

Lily spun away and ran from the room.