Chapter 6- The baby clinic
Roughly a week later, James escorted his wife through the front door of Godrics Hollow. He was holding his baby son and Sirius followed with Lily's gear. James didn't want Lily to have the strain of any heavy bags.
As Sirius put the bags down, he was handed Harry.
James turned Lily towards the stairs and covered her eyes pushing her forwards.
"I have a suprise for you." He smirked. He led her up the stairs and into the guest room which Sirius had stayed in a few months previous.
He uncovered her eyes.
"James..." She said startled. "Wow... when did you do this?" She looked around amazed. The once plain white room had been converted into a childs dream land.
The walls were blue with dinosaurs scattered randomly around.
The cot looked like a racing car.
And toys were all around on neat surfaces.
James grinned at her astonnished face.
"What did you think I did whilst you were in hospital?" He smirked again.
"I thought you were at work." She answered.
"Ow God!" He exclaimed, "Umm... I... ur have to make a... pay an visit to someone." He sprinted out the room.
"I don't know, Siri, what are we going to do with him?" Lily chuckled.
"Just dont let him pick Harry up from Kings cross, he'd probably forget."
"You know I'd never miss an opportunity to go with James to pick this little rascal up. I'll always be there for him." She smiled. And Harry bagan to cry. "Aww is my lickle soldier hungrwy? Ok" She sat down on the chair new to Harrys cot. She bgan to draw down her top.
"Um, Lily," Sirus bagan awkwardly. "I'm... err... I'm gona see where James went." Lily laughed at him as he left.
"Yep Harry, sometimes it's like I have two children." She said.
"Hey Mummy." James said standing in the door way. "Does Harry like his room?"
"Harry loves it, he couldn't ask for a better one if he tried." Ignoring the fact that Harry was only a week old, and couldn't yet talk, James smiled.
"Great."
Harry it seemed was a very active child.
He didn't like to sleep much, Lily realised that she had to see to him every time as James didn't have the required neccessities Harry wanted.
James did get up with her though. Harry's cot had been moved into their bedroom, so it was quicker to see too.
Plus Lily didn't like not being in with Harry, she'd find when he actually did sleep a little she'd be prodding him to make sure he was still breathing.
After taking a week off from work, James was back on the sceen. This gave Alice the chance to take Lily and Harry with her and Neville to their baby clinic.
It was called the "Jodie Jamerson's baby clinic for extraordinary children."
This of course was a secret way of saying for magical children. It was situated a few blocks away from Godrics hollow. Lily and Alice walked there pushing their prams along.
When they entered Lily was given some forms to fill in, which she did, then Alice introduced her to a few of her friends.
"Hey guys, this is my best friend, Lily Potter. Lily this is; Katherine, or katie for short and her daughter Lauren." A blonde lady waved at her, she smiled in response. "Danielle or Danny and baby William, Kristina and young Ernie, Ashlyn with little lavender. And last but not least we have Molly. She has the three red heads- Ron, Fred and George. They would be the trouble makers those last two, they are twins and are a years older then the rest."
"Ah, yes I can't seem to keep them under tabs. Funny really never had any trouble with the other 3." The lady with vibrant red hair said.
"You have 6 children?" Lily asked.
"Yes dear." She replied.
"But your so young?" Lily stuttered.
"Looks can be deceiving my dear. you yourself seem a delicate little flower, but I am sensing great power." Lily looked at this woman confused. In just one conversation she had gained a great deal of respect for this lady.
"Potter did you say? Now why does that name sound familliar?"
"Well James has had quite a bit of press coverage over the past few years, I expect you have read about him in the paper." Lily stated matter of factly.
"No... Thats not it... Potter... Potter?"
"You may be thinking of Robert Potter- famous quidditch player?"
"I think Charlie may have mentioned him once, but no... thats not it..."
"Nacissa Potter married Lucius Malfoy?"
"Closer... but no... I think I recal my father saying something about his cousin's neice was marrying a wizard by the name of Potter... was a surprise coz his cousin was a squib, She married a Muggle, went by the name of Figg, didn't think had any other wizard relations. Patrick figg. That was at least 5 years ago now though that she told him that."
"Uncle Pat?" Lily exclaimed. "I haven't seen him since our wedding, probably doesn't even know about little Harry. Your related to him?"
"Distantly. Must be what a second cousin? Fellow red head if I do recall."
"Just like my mother and just like me!" Lily smiled.
"Ms Potter." A lady came out the main office saying.
Lily stood up. "Guess thats my cue." She shook Molly's hand and followed the lady.
"Take a seat Ms Potter," She said offering the chair opposite. "I am Dr Holloway, Kirsten Holloway, I am here to make sure you and your new born are making sufficient progress. You will need to visit me weekly for the first month, then our sessions will lessen gradually. First I will weigh Harry, and take the apropriote measurements, then we will talk through any queries you have." Lily nodded and handed over her sleeping son.
"Yes yes, everything seems to be fine here. Lovely weight, every thing in proportion." the Dr said as she went through her procedure.
"Now, Mrs Potter."
"Please, call me Lily"
"Ok, Lily do you have any concerns?"
"Well actually, I wanted to know why I've had my baby but i still have a bump. I thought once Harry was out I would return to my original size?"Lily asked.
"That is a very common question Mrs Po... Lily, most people think that theory is correct, but you body has been through a tremendous strain, it has had to look after two instead of just the one, therefore to compensate it has been telling you it needs more energy and fuel to keep it going, that would be food. It has told you to eat more. If you take the correct routine, go back to eating less and of course more excersise then you should go back to your normal size straight away. It will also help if you did a few simple excersises to tighten other muscles which have needed to stretch. Such as your stomach muscles. As Harry is your first born you should have absolutely no problems." Kirsten smiled at Lily. "Anything else dear?"
"No... no i think thats about it. Is there anything I should be concerned with?"
"No everything is fine as far as i can see. Now let me give you a list of things which you and Harry will find rewarding, it will give you some specific guidelines to follow to caring for him and it has an emergency number to call if you should need proffessional advice. Let me also give you a chart of excersises." Kirsten stood to shake Lily's hand.
"Thank you." Lily said taking kirstens hand.
"No problem, I'll see you same time next week?"
"Ok then. Bye." As Lily left the room Alice left the one on the right shaking hands with her nurse. They said good bye to all the other mothers and left the clinic, walking back to Godric's Hollow. They had to plan a Christening.
A week later they were all once again in the church. This time not celebrating a marridge, now in respect of a loved one who had moved on. This time they were celebrating new life and welcoming a new baby into the wizarding community. They chose to have a muggle service at the church which Lily had attended since she had been a young child.
Lily and James stood at the back of the church holding Harry in front of the font. The revrand stood beside them as well as Sirius. He was of course being named God father. They would've had Andromeda Black as the god mother, so in her respect she was not being replaced.
The service commenced. As the revrand spoke and Christened the Potters first child by spreading a line of holy water from the font across his head. He welcomed young harry into the world and in God's name. He named Sirius as his guardian if the worse was to happen. And as Lily turned to look at the other family and friends who had been invited, she saw someone hiding in the shadows watching. Briefly they caught each others gaze. It was as though they were still friends after all those years of being apart. Lily hopped that Petunia would wait once the christening had finished and talk to her, she missed having a sister. James had Claire and she wished that her and petunia maybe someday would become as close.
To her avail, the second the ceremony ended Petunis rushed for the door. Lily quickly gave Harry to James to hold for a second.
"Petunia wait!" She called. Petunia stopped.
"what?" she replied.
"We haven't seen you for a while, we really need some catching up time." Petunia sneered.
"I don't really see the point. You're still with HIM, you had HIS child. Poor little Henry is going to turn out just as weird."
"Harry" Lily corrected. "And by HIM i assume you mean James?"
"Yes, I thought you had left him. Thats what he told me last time I saw him? I knew you'd be too weak to leave. I blame myself really, if I'd just of talked to you about men when we were younger, and not have let you go to that freak school. We'd still have our parents and you would be married to a nice bank manager or something. Now Vernon and I have just had a little boy also, Dudley. If you come to your senses and want to leave that rif raf you call a husband at any time, you and Harold are more then welcome to stay with us for a day or two, till you get back on your feet." Lily tried not to let the anger get to her and answered as calmly as she could.
"Thank you Petunia, but I am quite happy with James, HARRY and myself will be staying put." Then as an after thought added, "Just out of curiosity, hopw did you know James and I were married and just had Harry?" Petunia looked at her disgusted.
A bird flew throught the kitchen window the day it was born and left a letter saying you'd gone into labour. From some one called Sirius or something. Weird name if you ask me. I'm going now, and Lily, think about my offer."
Lily was thinking about something, but it wasn't that. It was that she was going to have to kill Sirius for doing that!
James took Harry and Lily back to Godric's Hollow, where they were having a little Christening party for Harry. When Lily saw Sirius she pounced for him. James held her back, she had told him what happened.
"Sirius!" Lily growled. "Why on Earth did you tell my sister about Harry?"
Sirius looked at her taken aback.
"How did you know?" He questionned.
"She turned up at the Christening, you dunder head. Told me that if me and Harry want to leave James we could kip at hers for a night. Belittled me and all my choices however she could. What were you thinking?"
"Well..." He played with his shirt. "That as God father it was my job to help out, and that you might've wanted to include your sister in this. Maybe it would've been enough to reunite you?" He stuttered. Lily's harsh face dropped.
"As good as that might sound Sirius, Petunia never really came to terms with me 'having magical powers', She never understood me. You are right that I would be willing to throw all differences behind me in a second. But untill she feels the same we won't be close." Sirius bowed his head.
"Sorry Lil's" He said.
"Thats ok honey, you had a good intention." Lily patted him on the shoulder. "You'll make a good Godfather." Remus had come up behind them.
"Ha, The day Sirius can look after himself let alone a child is the day Voldemort is defeated." He laughed. Everyone turned to look at him. That was a very unRemus thing to say. "What." He threw his hands up in exasperation. "You were all thinking it, I was just saying it!" he continued defensively. Sirius looked at the glass in his hand. He then snat(hed it up, sniffed it and took a little sip.
"Remus have you been talking to Mundungus again? Are you drunk?" Remus moved his face very close to Sirius'.
"Now listen here, I am not drunkkkkk!" Sirius pulled back holding his nose.
"Merlin mate you stink of booze. What wrong? You don't drink unless we do as well, or if somethings wrong."
"There ain't anything wrong!" he slurred, then fell backwards. Sirius shook his head, turned to lily and james.
"Don't worry I'll sort him out." He pulled Remus up and dragged him up the stairs.
James turned to Lily,
"Guess we know who to sort Harry out when he comes home drunk." He smiled. Lily still looked concerned.
"Wonder whats gotten to Rem to get him in such a state?"
Roughly a week later, James escorted his wife through the front door of Godrics Hollow. He was holding his baby son and Sirius followed with Lily's gear. James didn't want Lily to have the strain of any heavy bags.
As Sirius put the bags down, he was handed Harry.
James turned Lily towards the stairs and covered her eyes pushing her forwards.
"I have a suprise for you." He smirked. He led her up the stairs and into the guest room which Sirius had stayed in a few months previous.
He uncovered her eyes.
"James..." She said startled. "Wow... when did you do this?" She looked around amazed. The once plain white room had been converted into a childs dream land.
The walls were blue with dinosaurs scattered randomly around.
The cot looked like a racing car.
And toys were all around on neat surfaces.
James grinned at her astonnished face.
"What did you think I did whilst you were in hospital?" He smirked again.
"I thought you were at work." She answered.
"Ow God!" He exclaimed, "Umm... I... ur have to make a... pay an visit to someone." He sprinted out the room.
"I don't know, Siri, what are we going to do with him?" Lily chuckled.
"Just dont let him pick Harry up from Kings cross, he'd probably forget."
"You know I'd never miss an opportunity to go with James to pick this little rascal up. I'll always be there for him." She smiled. And Harry bagan to cry. "Aww is my lickle soldier hungrwy? Ok" She sat down on the chair new to Harrys cot. She bgan to draw down her top.
"Um, Lily," Sirus bagan awkwardly. "I'm... err... I'm gona see where James went." Lily laughed at him as he left.
"Yep Harry, sometimes it's like I have two children." She said.
"Hey Mummy." James said standing in the door way. "Does Harry like his room?"
"Harry loves it, he couldn't ask for a better one if he tried." Ignoring the fact that Harry was only a week old, and couldn't yet talk, James smiled.
"Great."
Harry it seemed was a very active child.
He didn't like to sleep much, Lily realised that she had to see to him every time as James didn't have the required neccessities Harry wanted.
James did get up with her though. Harry's cot had been moved into their bedroom, so it was quicker to see too.
Plus Lily didn't like not being in with Harry, she'd find when he actually did sleep a little she'd be prodding him to make sure he was still breathing.
After taking a week off from work, James was back on the sceen. This gave Alice the chance to take Lily and Harry with her and Neville to their baby clinic.
It was called the "Jodie Jamerson's baby clinic for extraordinary children."
This of course was a secret way of saying for magical children. It was situated a few blocks away from Godrics hollow. Lily and Alice walked there pushing their prams along.
When they entered Lily was given some forms to fill in, which she did, then Alice introduced her to a few of her friends.
"Hey guys, this is my best friend, Lily Potter. Lily this is; Katherine, or katie for short and her daughter Lauren." A blonde lady waved at her, she smiled in response. "Danielle or Danny and baby William, Kristina and young Ernie, Ashlyn with little lavender. And last but not least we have Molly. She has the three red heads- Ron, Fred and George. They would be the trouble makers those last two, they are twins and are a years older then the rest."
"Ah, yes I can't seem to keep them under tabs. Funny really never had any trouble with the other 3." The lady with vibrant red hair said.
"You have 6 children?" Lily asked.
"Yes dear." She replied.
"But your so young?" Lily stuttered.
"Looks can be deceiving my dear. you yourself seem a delicate little flower, but I am sensing great power." Lily looked at this woman confused. In just one conversation she had gained a great deal of respect for this lady.
"Potter did you say? Now why does that name sound familliar?"
"Well James has had quite a bit of press coverage over the past few years, I expect you have read about him in the paper." Lily stated matter of factly.
"No... Thats not it... Potter... Potter?"
"You may be thinking of Robert Potter- famous quidditch player?"
"I think Charlie may have mentioned him once, but no... thats not it..."
"Nacissa Potter married Lucius Malfoy?"
"Closer... but no... I think I recal my father saying something about his cousin's neice was marrying a wizard by the name of Potter... was a surprise coz his cousin was a squib, She married a Muggle, went by the name of Figg, didn't think had any other wizard relations. Patrick figg. That was at least 5 years ago now though that she told him that."
"Uncle Pat?" Lily exclaimed. "I haven't seen him since our wedding, probably doesn't even know about little Harry. Your related to him?"
"Distantly. Must be what a second cousin? Fellow red head if I do recall."
"Just like my mother and just like me!" Lily smiled.
"Ms Potter." A lady came out the main office saying.
Lily stood up. "Guess thats my cue." She shook Molly's hand and followed the lady.
"Take a seat Ms Potter," She said offering the chair opposite. "I am Dr Holloway, Kirsten Holloway, I am here to make sure you and your new born are making sufficient progress. You will need to visit me weekly for the first month, then our sessions will lessen gradually. First I will weigh Harry, and take the apropriote measurements, then we will talk through any queries you have." Lily nodded and handed over her sleeping son.
"Yes yes, everything seems to be fine here. Lovely weight, every thing in proportion." the Dr said as she went through her procedure.
"Now, Mrs Potter."
"Please, call me Lily"
"Ok, Lily do you have any concerns?"
"Well actually, I wanted to know why I've had my baby but i still have a bump. I thought once Harry was out I would return to my original size?"Lily asked.
"That is a very common question Mrs Po... Lily, most people think that theory is correct, but you body has been through a tremendous strain, it has had to look after two instead of just the one, therefore to compensate it has been telling you it needs more energy and fuel to keep it going, that would be food. It has told you to eat more. If you take the correct routine, go back to eating less and of course more excersise then you should go back to your normal size straight away. It will also help if you did a few simple excersises to tighten other muscles which have needed to stretch. Such as your stomach muscles. As Harry is your first born you should have absolutely no problems." Kirsten smiled at Lily. "Anything else dear?"
"No... no i think thats about it. Is there anything I should be concerned with?"
"No everything is fine as far as i can see. Now let me give you a list of things which you and Harry will find rewarding, it will give you some specific guidelines to follow to caring for him and it has an emergency number to call if you should need proffessional advice. Let me also give you a chart of excersises." Kirsten stood to shake Lily's hand.
"Thank you." Lily said taking kirstens hand.
"No problem, I'll see you same time next week?"
"Ok then. Bye." As Lily left the room Alice left the one on the right shaking hands with her nurse. They said good bye to all the other mothers and left the clinic, walking back to Godric's Hollow. They had to plan a Christening.
A week later they were all once again in the church. This time not celebrating a marridge, now in respect of a loved one who had moved on. This time they were celebrating new life and welcoming a new baby into the wizarding community. They chose to have a muggle service at the church which Lily had attended since she had been a young child.
Lily and James stood at the back of the church holding Harry in front of the font. The revrand stood beside them as well as Sirius. He was of course being named God father. They would've had Andromeda Black as the god mother, so in her respect she was not being replaced.
The service commenced. As the revrand spoke and Christened the Potters first child by spreading a line of holy water from the font across his head. He welcomed young harry into the world and in God's name. He named Sirius as his guardian if the worse was to happen. And as Lily turned to look at the other family and friends who had been invited, she saw someone hiding in the shadows watching. Briefly they caught each others gaze. It was as though they were still friends after all those years of being apart. Lily hopped that Petunia would wait once the christening had finished and talk to her, she missed having a sister. James had Claire and she wished that her and petunia maybe someday would become as close.
To her avail, the second the ceremony ended Petunis rushed for the door. Lily quickly gave Harry to James to hold for a second.
"Petunia wait!" She called. Petunia stopped.
"what?" she replied.
"We haven't seen you for a while, we really need some catching up time." Petunia sneered.
"I don't really see the point. You're still with HIM, you had HIS child. Poor little Henry is going to turn out just as weird."
"Harry" Lily corrected. "And by HIM i assume you mean James?"
"Yes, I thought you had left him. Thats what he told me last time I saw him? I knew you'd be too weak to leave. I blame myself really, if I'd just of talked to you about men when we were younger, and not have let you go to that freak school. We'd still have our parents and you would be married to a nice bank manager or something. Now Vernon and I have just had a little boy also, Dudley. If you come to your senses and want to leave that rif raf you call a husband at any time, you and Harold are more then welcome to stay with us for a day or two, till you get back on your feet." Lily tried not to let the anger get to her and answered as calmly as she could.
"Thank you Petunia, but I am quite happy with James, HARRY and myself will be staying put." Then as an after thought added, "Just out of curiosity, hopw did you know James and I were married and just had Harry?" Petunia looked at her disgusted.
A bird flew throught the kitchen window the day it was born and left a letter saying you'd gone into labour. From some one called Sirius or something. Weird name if you ask me. I'm going now, and Lily, think about my offer."
Lily was thinking about something, but it wasn't that. It was that she was going to have to kill Sirius for doing that!
James took Harry and Lily back to Godric's Hollow, where they were having a little Christening party for Harry. When Lily saw Sirius she pounced for him. James held her back, she had told him what happened.
"Sirius!" Lily growled. "Why on Earth did you tell my sister about Harry?"
Sirius looked at her taken aback.
"How did you know?" He questionned.
"She turned up at the Christening, you dunder head. Told me that if me and Harry want to leave James we could kip at hers for a night. Belittled me and all my choices however she could. What were you thinking?"
"Well..." He played with his shirt. "That as God father it was my job to help out, and that you might've wanted to include your sister in this. Maybe it would've been enough to reunite you?" He stuttered. Lily's harsh face dropped.
"As good as that might sound Sirius, Petunia never really came to terms with me 'having magical powers', She never understood me. You are right that I would be willing to throw all differences behind me in a second. But untill she feels the same we won't be close." Sirius bowed his head.
"Sorry Lil's" He said.
"Thats ok honey, you had a good intention." Lily patted him on the shoulder. "You'll make a good Godfather." Remus had come up behind them.
"Ha, The day Sirius can look after himself let alone a child is the day Voldemort is defeated." He laughed. Everyone turned to look at him. That was a very unRemus thing to say. "What." He threw his hands up in exasperation. "You were all thinking it, I was just saying it!" he continued defensively. Sirius looked at the glass in his hand. He then snat(hed it up, sniffed it and took a little sip.
"Remus have you been talking to Mundungus again? Are you drunk?" Remus moved his face very close to Sirius'.
"Now listen here, I am not drunkkkkk!" Sirius pulled back holding his nose.
"Merlin mate you stink of booze. What wrong? You don't drink unless we do as well, or if somethings wrong."
"There ain't anything wrong!" he slurred, then fell backwards. Sirius shook his head, turned to lily and james.
"Don't worry I'll sort him out." He pulled Remus up and dragged him up the stairs.
James turned to Lily,
"Guess we know who to sort Harry out when he comes home drunk." He smiled. Lily still looked concerned.
"Wonder whats gotten to Rem to get him in such a state?"