There's been some changes last chapter. Well, I haven't changed them yet but I'll get around to it.
a) The attack in Diagon Alley on Remus and Ashley was their third time escaping Voldemort.
b) In the very last scene of last chapter when James and Lily are eating dinner, James mentions it being the last day of July and it's not. There is actually a week left in July.
Sorry.
Thanks for reading and reviewing. I know this is crap, but I figured I might as well post what I have.
The morning of July 31st came and I felt a bit of relief. Today would be the last day of July and it didn't seem like Harry was planning on coming out into the world, which is a good thing. Besides, even if we have escaped Voldemort three times, if Harry was born in August, then he wouldn't apply to the prophecy and we would be able to continue life normally and happily.
But the though of Ashley and Remus also being attacked three times lingered in the back of my mind. Sure, I wanted my baby to be safe, but I didn't want their baby in danger either. Nor did I want the Longbottom's boy to apply to the prophecy.
I kicked the desk in front of me.
Whose bloody idea was this blasted prophecy, anyway?
I sighed and left the office and ventured into the kitchen. It was past ten o'clock and I hadn't even bothered to get out of my pajamas.
What's the point? It's not like I plan on going anywhere today anyway.
I opened the refrigerator and leaned against the door. There was nothing to eat in this bloody house, but I continued to stare into the cold area.
"Same thing is in there today as there was yesterday," James said coming up behind me and closing the door, "Might I suggested waffles?" he asked pulling out his wand and started to make some waffles.
"What's up with you?" I asked as I watched James. He seemed like he was in a good mood. He was already showered and dressed, and smelled very good.
"Nothing," he shrugged, "Just trying to make the best of things."
"I envy your enthusiasm." I smiled and kissed him lightly.
"Well, I figured," he shrugged, "Might as well be in a good mood if I'm going to be stuck in the house all day. Now, I was in the basement last night-"
"Ugh," I wrinkled my nose, "We never go down there. It's so messy."
"Exactly," James grinned, "I was thinking, we should clean it up and make use of the space."
I shrugged, "Not a bad idea. Besides, we have to keep ourselves busy somehow."
"At least until the baby comes," James laughed, "We'll be plenty busy then."
"Very true," I smiled as we sat down at the table and began to eat. But I barely picked up my fork when I heard a banging on the window. I immediately turned around and saw James hold his wand high out of the corner of my eye.
"That's Bree's owl," I frowned, "She knows she's not supposed to owl us."
"I'll get it," James said standing up cautiously.
James opened the window carefully, took the letter off the owl's leg and it departed as quickly as it came.
"What does it say?" I said standing up.
James handed the letter to me and hung his head. The blood drained from my face as I took the note from him with my shaking hand. I opened the parchment and saw a very short letter, which was obviously written very quick because it was very sloppy, in Bree's hand writing.
Been another attack. Sirius, Remus, and I will be by later to talk to you.
DON'T LEAVE THE HOUSE OR SEND ANY MESSAGES!
Bree
"What do you think has happened?" I asked, my voice shaking as well.
"I don't know," James said burying his head in his hands, "I hope everyone's okay."
"Me too," I said hugging him tightly, "This is so out of control."
"I know," James whispered. I could tell he was very worried. I could feel his heart beating quickly through his chest, "I love you."
"I love you too, James," I whispered, feeling tear drops fall down my cheeks.
…
James was pacing the living room and I was sitting on the couch…waiting for them to come and explain to us what happened.
Three times already, James had almost left the house to go the Ministry to find out what happened for himself. But after coming to his senses, he decided not to and instead paced the living room in front of me while I sat, biting off all of my nails.
Four hours had passed since we received Bree's owl, although it felt like a week.
Finally, three pops could be heard from behind us, and Sirius, Bree, and Remus stumbled into our living room.
"Padfoot! Moony! Bree!" James exclaimed, "What happened?"
"There was an attack," Bree sobbed, as they all sat down on the couch. I hadn't notice it before, but all of them had tears in there eyes. Not a few tears, but a lot.
"Whose hurt?" I gasped.
"Ashley," Sirius said, wiping his eyes, "Remus and her were attacked again."
James and I turned towards Remus who was sitting in the recliner with his head in his hands.
"Is she going to be alright?" James asked quietly.
"No," Bree said, tears falling down her face quickly, she glanced at Sirius and then at Remus, whose head was down, "Because Ashley is dead."
"Dead?" I asked, chills running through my body. I felt James grab my hand just as the water works were about to start, "Did she die today?" I choked.
"Ashley," Remus said, lifting his head from his hands. His eyes were red and puffy and he looked a mess. Bruises were forming all over his face and open cuts had stopped bleeding. His torn robes clung to his limp body, "Ashley was murdered by Voldemort."
I covered my mouth as I gasped and ran to Remus and hugged him tightly, "I'm so sorry."
Remus didn't say anything, but hugged me tightly.
I didn't know what to say.
Another one of my friends was taken. They're lives stripped of them instantly. It wasn't fair. I couldn't help but feel as if my life was breaking apart. Everyone was dying left and right and no one could stop it.
After hours of crying together Sirius and Remus soon left to go back to their apartment. Bree however, stayed a little longer after Remus had left.
(A/N: When Lily and James got married, Bree moved in with Sirius and Remus.)
"She died fighting and standing tall on her feet," Bree said, wiping her eyes, "You would've been proud. She wouldn't take anything from Voldemort. And Remus, oh poor Remus," she sighed, holding her handkerchief to her heart, "Voldemort had immediately put him under the Crutious curse. Poor lad, he couldn't do a thing. He just lay on the ground, twitching, while his wife was being killed. As soon as the Auror's came the curse was lifted and the Death Eaters and Voldemort fled. Damn cowards."
"Poor Remus," I cried, "I feel so sorry for him."
"I do too," Bree said quietly, "I witnessed the whole thing. I was at their house when it happened, you know Sirius and I were visiting and having a cup of tea. One minute we were laughing and the next-"
Bree couldn't even finish her sentence, "Worst thing I've ever experienced in my life."
James nodded his head and glanced at the clock, "And the baby, he was…killed as well?"
"Yes," Bree stated sadly. The three of us sat quietly for a few minutes before Bree stood up, "I better be going. I'm sure everything is going haywire at the ministry. It's not good, loosing such a good Auror, and good friend. It's a terrible thing. And I'm sure Sirius will be with Remus trying to cheer him up."
"I wish we could be with him," I said, staring at my fingernails.
"I'll give him some love from you guys," Bree smiled weakly, "I just cant believe how bad things are getting."
"Look out for yourself Bree," James said before hugging her tightly.
"You too," she said kissing him on the cheek before turning to me, "And you," she said hugging me even tighter, "You watch out for yourself and my future spoil… victim." She was barely able to say the word victim.
"Goodbye, Bree," I stepped back so she could apparate, "We love you."
"Bye, I love you guys too," she said before apparating.
Not a second passed after she left before I turned to James and immediately started to cry into her shirt. We sat down on the couch and did nothing but cry for the rest of the night.
…
That night I found myself sitting up in the middle of the night and feeling an odd feeling come over me. I glanced down at James, the moonlight was shining on his face, he looked so peaceful as he slept. James and I had fallen asleep while watching movies, which were still running. I went to grab the remote to turn off the television and at that moment I realized why I had woken up, a sharp pain had occurred in my stomach. Nervously, I glanced at the clock, eight o'clock.
This was it. It had to be.
I quickly shook James and grabbed a stopwatch to time the contractions.
"James," I said shaking him as the pain came again, "James, wake up, the baby is coming."
"What?" James asked, springing to life, "Are you sure?"
"Yes," I replied, scrunching my face up as another contraction occurred, "We need to get to the hospital as soon as possible."
"Yes, yes of course," James jumped up, "Wait here, I'll go get the bags."
"Right," I nodded my head as I carefully put my shoes on.
Two minutes later, James was by my side and we were getting ready to apparate to the hospital.
"Are you sure you're able to apparate?" he asked, concerned.
I nodded my head, "Oh wait, turn off the television."
"Right," James said running back into the living room to turn it off.
"Oh, and lock the back door," I called, "And the front. And make sure the stove is off and-"
"Lily, everything is fine!" James said rushing back to my side, "We need to get to that hospital before you have Harry right here, right now."
"You're right," I said, clutching my stomach, "Let's go."
"Ready?" he asked. I nodded my head and apparated to the hospital.
…
"Excuse me!" James said ringing the bell, "Where's a damn mediwitch when you need one?"
"James, honey, they're probably all sleeping," I replied. Being in the hospital made me depressed. It made me think of Ashley, "Or helping the victims."
James rang the bell a few more times before a mediwitch finally came to the desk.
"Hello, what can I do for you?" she asked, tiredly.
"Hi, my wife is about to spit out a kid and there is no one here to help," James glared, "Can we get some help here?"
The mediwitch looked a little taken back before quickly leading us to a room where another mediwitch would soon come to monitor my contractions and deliver my baby.
"Hello," a young mediwitch said coming into the room five minutes later, "Lily Potter, expecting a child, I see."
"Yes," James said tapping his fingers impatiently on the chair, "When is he going to come out?"
"Well," the mediwitch said examining me, "I'm going to need some back up and then we'll get started."
"Great," James said jumping up then stopping quickly, "Actually, do you think you could hold this off for a few more hours?"
"Mr. Potter, we cannot simply stop a child from being born," the mediwitch stared at him oddly, "He will come when he is ready."
"Yes, but we really need him born on the first." James said glancing at the clock, which read nine o'clock.
"Mr. Potter, there is nothing I can do," the mediwitch said before leaving the room.
"James," I cried, "This can't be happening! First, Ashley and no Harry being born!"
"I know," James replied and paced the room in front of my bed.
"Ow!" I cried and James rushed over.
"No, no, no," James muttered to himself, "Come on, Harry, you're already late, why not wait a few more hours?"
"James, there's nothing we can do," I said tears falling down my face for the second time that evening. The mediwitch and her team quickly rushed into the room and began.
An hour later, it was all over. Harry was born.
"Okay," a cheerful mediwitch said, holding a piece of parchment, "Harry James Potter, born to James and Lily Potter on the evening of July 31st at ten fifty-seven. Everything sound right?"
"Yes," James frowned but then smiled when the mediwitch brought the baby over and placed Harry in my arms.
"We'll just leave you three alone for awhile," All the mediwitches cleared out of the room and left us alone.
"He's adorable," I smiled and kissed James, "He looks just like you."
James frowned, "He's got no hair!"
"Of course he doesn't, James, he's just a baby," I smiled, for the first time that night.
"My son can't be bald!" James shook his head, "It's alright, buddy, we can get a spell to grow your hair."
"It'll grow soon enough, James," I smiled and kissed Harry on the top of his head.
There was a knock on the door.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," Dumbledore came into the room, "But we need to talk."
"Right," James frowned, "Of course, Professor, come on in."
