A/N: Before we start the chapter, credit must be given – one of my coworkers used Sirius's line about the baby coming out with furniture to describe the way another coworker looked while she was pregnant. She had it worse than Lily, though – it was over two months before this poor girl's due date!
Also, it was another coworker's wife that was the first to say the line that Lily screams as she's giving birth.
And without further ado, the chapter you've all been waiting for since Lily and James got married! I hope it lives up to your expectations!
Thanks for reading and reviewing! I hope you like this one!
I don't own Harry Potter.
As the Seventh Month Dies
I feel that the love around meHas come from another world
I have lost love, I have found love
From the moment you were born
I could see a new beginning
Come to me
Let me tell you how
How I've lost love and how I've found love
In a world of broken dreams
-Cole's Song, Julian Lennon, Mr. Holland's Opus
"Tell me again why you wanted exactly you wanted to have a party within a week of the baby's due date?" James asked as he used his wand to set up picnic tables in the backyard.
"Because we won't have another chance for ages," Lily said, watching him work. "Aren't you excited to see everyone?"
"Wouldn't it be better to just have a party for Brenna after she's born?"
"I think we might be a bit busy to plan a party then," Lily said with a grin. "Besides, that's a week away."
James looked at his watch to check the date. "Lil, today is the thirtieth. Do you really think that the fifth of August is a week away anymore?"
"Yes," she said stubbornly. "It's exactly seven days."
James rolled his eyes. "Whatever, Lil."
She stuck her tongue out at him. "Harry and I have already discussed this. He's not coming early!"
"But what if it's Brenna, and she's offended that you're calling her a boy's name and decides to come early just to spite you?"
Lily laughed. "No chance. I had the same conversation with Brenna."
James put down the last of the benches, and crossed to sit down next to Lily. "It's amazing that it's so close, isn't it?"
"It is," Lily agreed with a grin. "Can you believe it? James, we're going to be parents!"
"I know," he grinned. "I think I'm still trying to get used to the idea. I mean, who on earth would put me in charge of a child?"
Lily smiled, and took his hand in hers. "Don't question it. Just accept it, and love this baby with all you have."
"I already do. Just the fact that he's ours – yours and mine – is enough to make me love him forever."
Lily looked up at him, sure she had never loved him so much as she did at that moment. She leaned in closer to him, and kissed him gently. He pulled back and smiled at her.
"What was that for?"
"Because I love you."
He grinned. "I love you, too."
A crack split the air, ending their tender moment. They looked up to see Sirius standing in their yard.
"Hey, Potters," he grinned.
James got up and crossed to shake his hand. "Hey, Padfoot. How's everything going?"
"Oh, you know," Sirius shrugged. "Same old, same old. Oh, by the way, we need to talk."
"About what?"
"Well, you know how Remus, Peter and I had said that we'd take you out for a drink when you officially become a father?"
"Yeah?"
"Well, we have to change that plan."
"Why? Have you given up drinking?"
"No, I've just given up the Three Broomsticks."
Lily laughed as she crossed to join them. "Don't tell me that you're afraid you'll run into Rebecca there."
"You know it," Sirius grinned. He leaned down to kiss her cheek, then rubbed his hand affectionately over her stomach. "How's my little nephew?"
"Fine," Lily smiled. "Only one more week to go."
Sirius looked at her critically. "Are you sure it's a week?"
"Yes," Lily said forcefully.
"Touchy," Sirius grinned. "Why the determination to have an August baby?"
"Because that's when he's due," Lily replied. "I don't want him to come early. What if he's not developed enough to survive?"
Sirius let his eyes roam up and down her body. "Believe me, Lils, he's ready."
She narrowed her eyes. "Sirius," she began.
He laughed, and hugged her. "I'm just teasing, Little Flower. You look gorgeous."
"No, I don't," she grinned. "I look awful. But thanks for saying that anyway."
A rapid succession of cracks and pops filled the yard as their other friends arrived. Sirius's eyes narrowed as Olivia and Greg arrived together; he quickly let all the emotion slide off his face as he greeted them. Watching him, James shook his head.
"Why the head shake?" Remus asked as he came forward to say hello to James.
"Sirius," James said. "He's become an expert at hiding his emotions, hasn't he?"
"Isn't that something that Aurors are supposed to specialize in?"
"Yeah, but he's a little too good at it."
"Too good at what?" Peter asked as he joined them.
"James thinks Sirius has become too good at hiding his emotions," Remus said.
"But Aurors have to be able to hide their emotions," Peter replied with a frown. "You know that, James."
"Yes, I know that," James said. "I grew up with an Auror, remember? But they're supposed to hide their emotions at work and on the battlefield, not with their friends. We're allowed to know what he's thinking."
"But she isn't," Remus said quietly.
"He'll never let Olivia know what he's thinking, James," Peter said softly. "And she's the same way. They'll go through the rest of their lives as partners and friends, neither ever letting the other beyond the surface."
James shook his head. "I'm through with the two of them. Whatever they do with their lives is their business, not mine. As long as they don't tear us apart as friends, I'm happy with their decisions."
"Very supportive," Peter said appreciatively.
James nodded. "Now I just have to convince Lily that it's the right approach."
Remus looked around for Lily; she was seated at one of the tables with Laura. They were talking quietly, laughing over something. "She looks content," he commented.
"She is," James said. "She's terribly uncomfortable, but she's happy. She's been counting the days for the past two months."
Peter grinned. "Are you guys ready to become parents?"
"Well, we don't have a choice," James grinned. "Even if we're not, we only have a week left. Either way, it's going to happen."
"You don't sound ready," Remus laughed.
James shrugged. "What can I say? There's no way to study for this one. What happens, happens. I'm just going to take it one day at a time."
Peter laughed. "According to my mum, it's more like one moment at a time with kids."
"That, then," James grinned. He turned to Remus. "How's Laura doing?"
"Better, I think," Remus said. He smiled sadly. "She doesn't want me to worry, so I think she tends to hide how she feels from me. But she seems like she has more energy since she's been on all those medications her doctor prescribed her." He paused. "I want to thank you, James, for helping us get in with Dr. Hayward. Laura just loves him and Danny, and she's sure that they're going to be the ones to make her better."
"Hey, you don't have to thank me," James said earnestly. "It was the least I could do. I'm just so glad I was able to help. I wish there was something more I could do for her."
Remus smiled sadly again. "You can pray for her," he said quietly.
"I already do," James said softly. "And for you, too."
"Thanks," Remus replied, his voice just above a whisper.
"Hi, James!"
The moment was broken as Olivia and Greg came over to say hello. James looked at Remus for another instant, then turned his attention to his other friends.
"Hey," he grinned. "I'm so glad you both could make it."
Olivia grinned, and released Greg's hand, allowing her to hug James. "As if I'd miss a party," she grinned.
"True," James smiled. "But, Greg, I must give you credit. Clearly we didn't scare you off at Sirius's party. You're a tough man."
Greg grinned. "I survived Hogwarts when you and Sirius were throwing hexes around at people for breathing too loudly. This has been easy by comparison."
James laughed. "Ah, you remember my younger days."
"Who could forget?" Peter laughed. "You and Sirius were unstoppable back then."
Remus shook his head. "As I'm sure I said back then, please try not to inflate James's ego any more than it already is!"
James laughed, and shook his own head. "Don't you think I've changed since then?"
"Well . . ." Remus and Peter exchanged a glance and a grin.
"Oh, come on, guys," Olivia laughed. "James has definitely changed since back then. During his darker days, Lily wouldn't have anything to do with him, but now she's having his child. That alone must say something for his character."
"Or for hers," Peter grinned.
"They've both changed," Remus stated. "And it's been for the better on both sides."
Two new cracks announced the arrival of Dana and Aidan. James looked over at them, and then back at those around him.
"I'm going to go say hello to Dana and Aidan," he said. "We'll have the food out in a minute, so don't start to panic."
Sirius laughed. "Why do I feel like that was directed at me?"
"I can't think of any reason," James laughed as he left them.
Sirius smiled, and looked around the yard, deliberately avoiding looking at Olivia and Greg. His eyes fell on Lily, and he grinned.
"Okay, everyone, informal survey," he said. "Lily says she's not having that baby for a week. Am I the only one who thinks it's going to come early?"
"What are you basing that guess on?" Remus asked with a grin.
"Oh, come on!" Sirius laughed. "Just look at her! If this takes much longer, that kid's going to come out with furniture!"
"Sirius!" Olivia exclaimed, trying to stop herself from laughing. "That's terrible!"
"It's true," Sirius said with a grin.
"You're awful," Olivia laughed. "Poor Lily. The girl's in enough misery without you adding to it."
"I'd never tell her something like that," Sirius said earnestly.
"Well, as long as you have standards," Remus grinned.
Sirius laughed. "I'm going to go over and talk to her right now."
"Sirius, you're not going to . . ." Olivia trailed off uncertainly.
"Of course not! I'm just going to see how she's doing."
With that, he set off across the yard. He grinned as he approached Lily and Laura, and leaned down to kiss Laura's forehead.
"How are my two favorite ladies?"
Lily smiled tolerantly. "Sirius, I have a feeling that we are far from your favorite ladies."
"Untrue," he said as he sat down. "You are both very high on my list of favorites."
"I'm honored," Laura said with a smile, rolling her eyes.
Sirius looked at her with concern. "How are you feeling, love?"
"Better," she said firmly. "Dr. Hayward and Danny have been wonderful. I'm not sure what exactly it is that they've given me, but it has helped."
"Good," Sirius said, obviously relieved. "You had me worried for a little while there."
"I think I had everyone worried – myself included," Laura replied.
"How have you been, Sirius?" Lily asked.
"Oh, fine," Sirius replied, waving his hand. "You know me – just working and fighting evil."
Laura giggled. "So modest, this one."
Lily heaved an exaggerated sigh. "He's been like this for as long as I've known him."
"And you've loved me just as long," Sirius replied with a cheeky grin.
"Sure," Lily laughed. "We'll call it love if that'll make you feel better."
Sirius looked at Laura. "Have you noticed that she's become harsher since she's been pregnant?" He rubbed Lily's stomach. "Hurry up, kiddo! I can't handle much more of your mum's pregnant attitude!"
"Stop encouraging him," Lily laughed, brushing his hands away from her. "You know I don't want him to come early."
"I don't think you have much of a say in it," Sirius grinned. "You have to learn to let your children make their own decisions, Lil."
"Children?" Lily repeated. "Last time I checked, I was only having one."
"You don't want more?"
"Isn't it a bit early to make that decision?"
Dana and Aidan came over, holding hands and grinning. Dana released his hand when they reached their friends, and pulled the girls into hugs.
"Hi, Mum!" she grinned as she hugged Lily.
Lily grinned. "Hey, yourself." She looked at Dana critically. "How's the pregnancy coming?"
"Not yet," Dana sighed. "But we haven't been trying that long. It'll happen when it should happen."
Laura nodded silently, thinking of how fortunate it was that she was not pregnant. With her current condition and the very strong medications that had become part of her day, she was sure her body would never have been able to sustain the life of a baby. As much as she had wished for a baby for so long, she now realized that it was for the best that she wasn't pregnant. And this current state wasn't forever. As soon as she was better, she and Remus would have their baby.
James came around with a tray of drinks floating before him. He grinned as he approached.
"All right, everyone grab a drink." He gave them a wink. "In honor of our young mothers, we're serving entirely alcohol-free drinks today."
"I'm not pregnant yet," Dana protested with a smile.
"You're close enough. I don't know how long this stuff stays in your system," James grinned. "I don't want your child to have some horrible developmental disability because of something you drank while you were at my party."
Dana laughed, and took the lemonade. "Thanks for your concern, James."
He winked at her again, and gave drinks to Laura, Sirius and Aidan. Taking the last glass for himself, he banished the tray into the house.
"All right, everyone I just wanted to say a few words before we begin eating," he said loudly.
Sirius raised his eyebrows, and looked at Aidan. "Does he think he's Dumbledore now?"
"No," Aidan said, his face completely serious, "Dumbledore likes to keep the pre-dinner speeches short."
Sirius snorted with laughter. James looked at him, and Sirius struggled to stop laughing.
"I just wanted thank all of you for coming today," James said. "This is the last chance Lily and I are going to have to host a party for awhile, and we're happy that you all could make it.
"We have so much to celebrate. We've all had a difficult few months for various reasons, but we've all been there for one another, and we've all made it through to the other side." He smiled. "To be perfectly honest, I don't know if I could have made it through everything that's happened without all of you. So, thank you for being there for us in the past, and for all the support you will give us in the future." He paused, and a mischievous sparkle shone in his eyes. "And that support will be in the form of babysitting. Mum and Dad are going to need the occasional night out!"
Everyone laughed with him. Although they realized how much he meant his gratitude, they also knew that he was trying not to be too serious. It was this balance of sincerity and humor that made up James's character, and they were all familiar with it.
"And now, please raise your glasses with me," James said, holding up his own glass. "Let's drink to friendship – the unconditional loyalty and love we all have for one another."
"Well, that went fantastically," James said once everyone had gone. "It was a good idea, Lil. I'm glad you wanted to do it."
"So am I," she said, grimacing. "I just wish I had thought of doing it before I got to be as big as this house."
"You're beautiful," James smiled, continuing to massage her tired feet.
She let her head fall back against the pillows on the couch. "And you're a liar."
"Lils, you will always be gorgeous to me."
She raised her head to smile at him, then grimaced again.
"Sorry," James said quickly. "I think that was a pressure point. Too much?"
"Yeah," Lily said, letting her head drop again. "That actually hurt all the way up to my abdomen!"
"I'm sorry," James said again. He leaned forward to kiss her. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
"It's all right," Lily smiled against his lips. She kissed him again. "Thank you for trying to help me."
"I guess trying is the operative word," James laughed. "Do you want me to keep going?"
"No, that's all right," Lily said, swinging her legs around so that she could stand. "I'm really exhausted. I think I just want to sleep. Can we clean up tomorrow?"
"Sure," James said easily. "I'm always up for delaying the cleaning process."
"You know, that procrastination is going to come back to bite you sometime," Lily said. She stretched out her back, making a face as she realized exactly how tense she was. "You can't always put everything off till the last minute."
"It's worked for me so far," James replied with a cheeky grin. He held out his hand to her. "Come on. Let's go up to bed."
She looked at him warily. "What do you mean by that?"
"That we need sleep," James said innocently.
She gave him a look that said that she didn't believe him. "James, I really can't handle the thought of anything other than sleep right now."
He reached out to run his palm over her cheek. "And that's all you're going to do, love. Come on. We need to get this mummy to bed."
She smiled, and let him help her up the stairs. She got ready for bed as though in a daze, and dropped herself down onto the soft surface.
"Feel better?" James asked, looking down at her.
"Yes," she said. She gave him a sleepy smile. "Good night, James."
"Good night," he said, leaning down to kiss her lips. "I love you."
Her eyes remained closed after their kiss, but she smiled. "I love you, too."
"Harry! Harry, wake up, darling! It's already eight thirty!"
Lily stepped back from the bed to watch as her little boy struggled to open his eyes, rubbing them sleepily. She smiled as he finally opened them, looking up at her with green eyes that looked strikingly like her own.
"Good morning, Mummy!" He bounced out of bed. "Today's the day, isn't it?"
"Yes, sweetheart," she said, reaching over to smooth down his hair. "Today's the day you go to Hogwarts. It's September first."
His hair sprang back up just like James's did when he tried to get it to lie flat. "I'm going to like it, aren't I?"
"Of course!" she exclaimed. "You'll love it."
"Where's Dad?"
"He's putting your trunk in the car," she said. "You get washed and dressed, and I'll go make breakfast. What would you like for your last breakfast before school starts?"
"Fried eggs," he said firmly.
She nodded, and smiled. "All right. Let's race, and see if I can have breakfast ready before you're downstairs."
"All right," Harry agreed with a grin. "GO!"
Lily smiled again, and rushed out of her son's bedroom. She started to run down the stairs, but tripped. She toppled over herself as she fell, slamming her stomach against the edge of one of the stairs.
"Ouch!"
Lily jerked awake. What had happened to jar her out of the dream about her son's first day of school? The dream had been so real – her abdomen actually hurt where she had hit it against the step. She massaged her stomach, and let the memory of the dream wash over her. She wanted to hold onto the details. She wanted to remember her son.
She knew now that she would have a little boy in a week's time. That dream had changed her mind completely. She wasn't going to have a daughter – she didn't even want this baby to be a girl. She wanted her little Harry – the little boy who had smiled at her so sweetly in the dream.
"Lily? Are you all right?" James asked sleepily.
"Yeah, fine," she said. She ran her hand over her face, and realized that she was perspiring. "I just had an odd dream, that's all."
"Odd good or odd bad?" James asked, beginning to come to full wakefulness.
"Odd good," she said. "It was about –"
Her words stopped as an intense pain gripped her abdomen. She gasped, and grabbed the sheets as the pain grew stronger.
"Lil!" James exclaimed, sitting up in bed. "What's wrong?"
"I don't know!" she cried. Her hands released the sheets as the pain eased. She again massaged her abdomen.
"What's wrong? What just happened?" James asked. He took her hand. "You're shaking. How do you feel? Is something wrong with the baby?"
"The baby," she murmured. She ran her free hand over her face, and gasped. "James!" she cried. "James, the baby – James, I'm in labor!"
"What?" James exclaimed. "But, Lily, it's too early!"
"You try telling Harry that!" she cried. "This is it, James!"
"All right," James said, running his hand through his hair. "All right, we can do this. Come on. We need to get you to St. Mungo's."
"We can't go like this," Lily said, gesturing to her sleepwear of shorts and a huge t-shirt. "You're wearing your boxers, for goodness' sake! We need to get dressed."
"Do we have time?" James asked pointedly.
"Yeah, we have time," Lily said. "We just need to hurry, that's all."
After throwing on their clothes, James grabbed the overnight bag that Lily had packed in anticipation of her trip to the hospital. He picked up the emergency Portkey that Lily's Healer had given them, and took it back to Lily, who was sitting on the bed, breathing deeply in an effort to keep herself calm.
"Here, touch this," he said, holding it out to her.
As soon as they both had their fingers touching the Portkey, James tapped it with his wand. Within seconds, they were being transported to the maternity ward of St. Mungo's.
A Healer met them as they slammed into the ward. James reached out instinctively to keep Lily on her feet.
"Can I help you?" the Healer asked.
"I'm in labor," Lily said.
"Okay," the other woman said calmly. She smiled as she pulled a wheelchair forward for Lily to sit in. "Who is your Healer?"
"Healer Lewis."
"And your name?"
"Lily Potter."
"Okay, Mrs. Potter" the Healer said with a smile. "I'll let Healer Lewis know that you're here, and he'll be up to help you. While we're waiting for him, let's get you into a room. We want to make sure that you're comfortable."
Lily nodded, and followed the woman out of the waiting room. James hurried after them, still carrying Lily's overnight bag.
In a matter of minutes, Lily had been assigned a private room. She smiled, realizing that the Potter name still commanded respect, even when carried by Harold Potter's daughter-in-law. Now wearing the hospital's nightgown, she laid back against the pillows on her bed. Really, this wasn't so bad.
"Are you all right?" James asked, looking every bit a nervous wreck.
"I'm fine now," Lily replied. She frowned slightly. "You don't think this was a false alarm, do you? I've heard of women thinking they're in labor only to discover that they're not."
"Really?" James asked.
"Yeah, it's supposed to be really weird."
"And do you think this is that?"
"I hope not. I'd hate to have had everyone go to all this trouble just to discover that I'm not really having a baby tonight."
"It's all right, darling," James smiled. "Even if it's not tonight, at least we've learned what to do when you really do have the baby."
She opened her mouth to reply, but the words died in her throat as her face contorted. She gasped as another pain gripped her abdomen.
Alone with her, James had no idea what to do to help his wife. He took her hand in his.
"Just squeeze my hand, love," he suggested.
He regretted his offer as Lily gripped his hand as though trying to squeeze the life out of it. She moaned, and pressed harder on James's hand, wishing the pain would just end. Then she felt a warm, wet sensation.
"Oh, God," she moaned.
"What's wrong?" James asked, panic close to setting in.
"My water just broke," she moaned. "This is the real thing, James. We're having this baby tonight."
"Should I go get someone?" he asked.
"No, Healer Lewis will be here in a minute," Lily said. She dropped her head back. "What day is it?"
"What?"
"What's the date? What's Harry's birthday going to be?"
James looked at his watch. It was nearly five in the morning. "July thirty-first," he said.
Lily nodded. "All right. So I don't get my August baby."
James grinned. "Close enough, I suppose." He crossed the room, and began looking through the bag they had brought.
"What are you looking for?" Lily asked.
"This," James said, holding up his mirror. "I want to tell Sirius to get my mum here. She's going to want to be on hand for this."
"Definitely," Lily grinned. "Grandma needs to be here to welcome Harry."
James smiled. "You seem pretty sure it's a boy."
"It is," Lily said stubbornly.
"What happened to Brenna?"
Lily shook her head. "This one is Harry."
James grinned. "Well, the next one can be Brenna, then."
Another contraction took over, and Lily grabbed the sheets to fight against the pain. "James Potter, I swear to God, if you ever mention another baby around me again, I will hex you into the next century!"
Healer Lewis walked into the room in time to hear Lily's tirade. He looked from her to James, who looked stricken. He grinned.
"Well, we're certainly off to a good start," he said cheerfully. "James, I wouldn't take it too personally. Believe me, every mother I've seen in here is threatening her husband with bodily harm before the delivery is over. I have a feeling that's not the last time she'll verbally attack you before it's all over."
Lily laid back as the pain ended, and groaned, covering her face with her hands. "I'm sorry, James," she sighed.
"It's all right, love. I'm just going to go outside to talk to Sirius, all right?"
"Go," she said, waving her hand toward the door.
"I'll examine her while you're gone," Healer Lewis said. "I'll give you a full report when you get back."
James nodded. He kissed Lily's forehead, then walked out into the corridor, shutting the door behind him.
"Sirius Black!"
After a moment, a very groggy Sirius appeared in the mirror. He frowned.
"James, what the bloody hell could be so wrong that you have to wake me up before bloody six in the bloody morning?"
"Overuse of 'bloody,'" James grinned. "Hey, look, I need your help."
"What's going on?" Sirius asked, quickly becoming more alert.
"Lily's in labor," James said without further preamble. "We're in St. Mungo's right now."
"I'm on my way," Sirius said instantly. A grin lit his face. "This is brilliant! I knew she wouldn't make it another week!"
"Wait, listen," James said. "I want you to get my mum over here."
"Sure," Sirius said easily. "Should I tell the others, too?"
"They'll probably want to be here," James agreed.
"I'll let them know."
"Make sure you get my mum here," James warned.
"I'll go to the manse first," Sirius promised. "See you soon!"
James watched as his friend's face disappeared, and heaved a sigh of relief. He was so thankful that he wouldn't have to go through this on his own.
As he turned to go back into Lily's room, he noticed Frank Longbottom coming down the hall. He raised his eyebrows. Alice wasn't due until August. Was their baby early, too?
"Frank?" he asked.
Frank jumped. As he recognized James, a grin spread across his face. "Hi, James! What are you doing here?"
"Lily's in labor," James said with a tense smile.
"It'll be over soon," Frank said. "And when it is –"
"Did Alice have the baby?" James interrupted.
"About an hour ago," Frank grinned. "You should see him, James. He's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
James grinned. "That's brilliant, Frank. What's his name?"
Frank laughed. "We're still debating. I'll get back to you on that one."
"Well, congratulations," James smiled. "And tell Alice the same."
"I will," Frank promised. "You're going to make it, James. Lily's a tough one. She'll come through this just fine."
James nodded. "I know she can do it."
"Of course she can." Frank squeezed his shoulder. "Get back in there to her. I'll see you soon."
"Right," James agreed. "Have fun with that baby."
"I will," Frank grinned. "I never realized how much my parents love me until now. I've never loved anyone as much as I love that little boy."
Time seemed to be playing tricks on James. At times it was as though he had entered warp speed, followed by periods when the seconds crawled by. Lily showed him exactly how strong she was as she fought to remain calm through the pain that tore across her abdomen. He had never been so proud of her.
They had been in the hospital for less than an hour when Mrs. Potter walked into the room. James grinned as he saw her enter.
"Hi, Mum," he smiled. "I was worried you wouldn't make it."
"There's no way I would miss this," she smiled. She leaned down to kiss Lily's forehead. "How are you, darling?"
"Holding on," she replied.
Mrs. Potter nodded. "That's all that you can do. I'm sure it won't be long now."
"She's going to be holding on for a little while," Healer Lewis said. "We've still got a way to go before she's fully dilated."
Lily groaned. "This is the most miserable thing I've ever done."
"But it will have the most wonderful outcome," Mrs. Potter smiled. "James and I are here with you, darling, and your friends are on their way. We're all here to support you."
"I don't want everyone in here with me!" Lily exclaimed, panic reflected in her eyes.
"They'll wait in the waiting room," Mrs. Potter said. "They just want to be here to welcome your little baby."
Lily smiled. "I want Harry to meet them, too."
"Tell me again why you dragged us all out of bed to be here?" Peter asked, sliding down against the back of his chair.
"James and Lily need us," Sirius said briskly. "Besides, don't you want to be here to welcome Baby Potter?"
Peter merely shook his head as though in disbelief. "I've heard that labor can take forever," was all he said.
He didn't tell his friends that he hoped that Lily's labor would take at least twenty-four hours. He didn't tell them of his fear that James's baby would be born soon. He didn't even want to think about the consequences if this child was born on the last day of July – as the seventh month dies.
"This could take awhile," Remus agreed, stretching out. "I'm going to go get some coffee. Does anyone want some?"
"Of course," Laura said quickly. "I can't believe you do, though."
"What can I say?" Remus shrugged. "Sometimes you need a little jumpstart."
"I'll go with you, Remus," Olivia said, standing up. "I think you're going to need the extra hands to carry all these cups back. Can we tempt anyone else?"
In the end, they were dispatched for coffee for all seven members of the group in the waiting room. They hurried to the cafeteria, both concerned that they would miss something if they were gone too long.
"Do you really think it's going to take awhile?" Olivia asked as they turned the corner.
"Who knows?" Remus replied. "Most babies take their sweet time, though. For Lily's sake, I hope it's over quickly."
Olivia shuddered. "I can't even imagine."
"You don't want to have children?" Remus teased.
"Oh, I do – someday," Olivia replied as they reached the cafeteria. "I'm just hoping that the pain isn't as bad as everyone says."
Remus laughed, and held the cafeteria door open for her. "I wish you luck with that."
They ordered and received their coffee quickly, and began their journey back to the waiting room. They walked considerably slower this time, trying not to spill the coffee that they were levitating ahead of them. When they arrived, their friends jumped to grab their respective beverages.
"Enjoy," Olivia said with a grin.
Sirius took a sip of his coffee, then looked at his watch. He glanced at the door that led to the delivery rooms. "I wish there was some way of knowing what's going on in there."
Dana nodded her agreement, and took a sip of her own coffee. Then she gasped, and put her cup down on the table next to her.
"Did you burn yourself?" Aidan asked with concern.
"No – but I think I can find out what's going on in there!"
Remus's eyes lit up. "Do you have your identification with you?"
Dana nodded, and pulled her student Healer badge out of her purse. She attached it to her robes, and stood up. "I'll go see how Lily is and come right back. I'll be quick."
"You're doing great, Lil!"
Lily fell back against her pillows as the most recent contraction ended. "How about you take the next one, James?"
He smiled. "I'd do it for you if I could."
She groaned, and dropped her head back. "What time is it?"
James looked at his watch. "Almost noon."
"Noon," Lily sighed. "I've been here for seven hours! Won't this ever end?"
"You're doing just fine," Healer Lewis smiled. "By the end of the day, you'll be holding your new baby."
"We're a long way from the end of the day," Lily said.
"You'll make it," the Healer smiled.
"Oh!" Lily lunged forward again as another pain attacked her.
James grabbed her hand. "Hang on, Lil!"
"Seriously, James, if you ever want to have another child, you get to be the one to go through this!" she screamed.
Dana slipped into the room in time to hear Lily screaming at James. She giggled.
"I take it it's going well?"
"Dana," Lily gasped as she fell back on the bed. "What are you doing here?"
"I was sent in to check up on you," she said. She crossed the room to stand closer to her friend. "So, how are you?"
"Miserable," Lily replied honestly. "If I ever hear anyone say that childbirth is easy, I will be glad to set them straight."
Dana smiled, and smoothed a strand of Lily's hair back from her face. "You just hold on, all right? We're all here for you."
"Who is 'all?'"
"Aidan and I, Remus and Laura, Sirius, Olivia, and Peter."
"The whole gang made it for this event."
"Of course," Dana smiled. "We weren't about to miss it."
Lily smiled. "Thanks, Dana, for being here for me. And tell everyone else thank you, too."
"I will," Dana smiled. She leaned down to kiss Lily's forehead. "You be strong, love. We'll all be in the waiting room if you need us."
The day crawled past for the group in the waiting room. They all had called off work in the hopes that they would spend their day playing with James and Lily's newborn child. Instead, they spent the day in the hospital waiting room, trying to find ways to occupy their time. Dana was sent to get hourly updates, all of which were the same: She was getting closer, but the baby had not been born yet.
As he watched the minutes tick by, Peter grew more hopeful. Maybe the baby would be born in August, after all. Maybe he wouldn't have to worry. Maybe this baby would not be marked for a horrific death at the moment of his birth.
"What time is it now?" Lily gasped.
"Ten thirty," James said through clenched teeth.
He massaged the hand that Lily had just released. As the pain of her contractions increased, so too did the amount of bone crushing pressure that she put on his hand.
"Did I hurt you?" she asked.
"No, I'm fine," James said, flexing his fingers. "I can still move them all."
Lily made a face at him, then grabbed his hand again as another contraction ripped through her.
"I think we're almost there," Healer Lewis said excitedly. "Lily, I need you to start pushing."
"Are you serious?" she asked. She had been begging him to let her push for hours. She was sure it would speed up the process.
"Yes," he said. "It might take awhile, so don't expect instant baby, all right?"
"All right," she said.
Lily began to push with tears in her eyes. Would this never end? After three pushes, the Healer gasped.
"Well, that might just be the quickest I've ever seen a first baby crown," he said in wonder. "All right, Lily, this is it. One more push, and we should have your baby out."
"I don't think I can," she sobbed. "Please, don't make me do this anymore."
"Come on, Lil!" James exclaimed. "We're almost there!"
"James, I can't," she sobbed.
"Yes, you can," he said. He kissed her forehead. "Lily, you are the strongest woman I know. You have fought in horrible battles, and cheated death more times than I want to think about. Use that strength again for me now."
"All right," she said. She struggled to sit up straighter. "Let's do this."
"Start pushing!"
Lily screamed in pain.
"You're doing great, love," James said encouragingly.
"GET HARRY OUT!" Lily screamed. "GET HIM OUT!"
"And here he is!" Healer Lewis exclaimed jubilantly. "You were right, Lily – you have a little boy!"
Lily began to sob again as the Healer put her baby in her arms for the first time. She touched him with shaking fingers, and let her tears fall onto his head.
"Look at you," she sobbed. "Hi, sweetheart. I'm your mummy."
James felt his own tears falling as he reached out a shaking hand to touch his son. "Hey, buddy," he said softly. "You gave Mum a hard time of it." He looked from the baby to Lily. "You were brilliant, Lil. Absolutely brilliant."
"Oh, James," she sighed.
"I love you," he said. He kissed her gently. "I love you so much."
"I love you, too," she said as more tears fell.
"And I love you," James said, running his hand over the baby's head. "You're brilliant, too, my little one."
"Okay, just let me go clean him up a bit, and then he's all yours," Healer Lewis said taking the baby from Lily.
"Oh, no!" she exclaimed. "I want to hold my baby!"
"I'll give him back to you in a minute," the Healer promised as he carried the small baby away from his beaming parents.
Mrs. Potter stepped over to watch as the Healer cleaned her first grandchild. James hugged Lily again.
"Lily, I know I've said it before, but after watching you do that, you truly are the strongest woman I know."
Lily smiled. "I'm so tired, James."
"I know, love," he smiled. "You're going to have plenty of time to sleep."
Healer Lewis brought the baby back, putting him into Lily's arms. "He's in perfect physical condition," he said. "You have one very healthy baby there."
Lily beamed at the Healer. "Thank you," she said. "I could never have done this alone."
"It was my pleasure," he smiled.
Lily looked from him to her baby. He was lying quietly in her arms, his tiny eyes blinking at the bright light of the hospital room. Lily felt tears press against her eyes again as she looked at him.
"Hi, Harry," she smiled. She looked at him critically, trying to decide who he resembled. It wasn't really difficult to see the similarities between her son and her husband. "You look so much like Daddy. Do you want to say hello to him?"
James looked at her in surprise. "You want me to hold him?"
"Of course," Lily giggled. "He's your son."
"All right, then," he said nervously.
"Just don't drop him," Lily said as she passed the baby to his father.
James took the baby in his arms, and looked down at the tiny squirming bundle. He swallowed hard, feeling the tears well up in his eyes.
"Hi, Harry," he whispered. "Welcome to our world." He studied him intently. "He has your eyes."
"All babies have blue eyes," Lily argued. "Mine are green."
"Yeah, but the shape – they're exactly like yours."
Lily smiled. "Well, I guess we can be sure that I'm his mother, then."
Mrs. Potter stepped closer to her son, and looked down at the baby in his arms. James smiled, and offered him to her.
"Here, Mum, hold him," he said.
Mrs. Potter took the baby with tears shining in her eyes. "You're calling him Harry?" she asked hoarsely.
James nodded. "We decided that ages ago. He's Harry James Potter."
Mrs. Potter smiled, and kissed the top of his head. "Well, Harry James Potter, I'm your grandma. And I have to say, you look almost exactly like your daddy did the day he was born."
"Really?" James asked.
"Really," Mrs. Potter replied. "It's actually a little bit scary." She kissed the baby's head. "But don't worry. I love you so much, little one. You'll never scare me."
James smiled. "Do you feel up to some visitors, Lil?"
Lily smiled, thinking of how excited her friends would be to know that she had a son. "Yes. Bring them in."
James smiled, and ducked out of the room. Mrs. Potter sat down next to Lily's bed, and they exclaimed over the baby together.
Within moments, their friends were making their way into the room. Laura and Dana were the first to ask to hold the baby. They exclaimed over his tiny fingers and nose, and his hair that stuck up just like his father's. Sirius took him next. Lily was amazed to see the tough Auror cooing over the tiny baby.
"You are just the sweetest thing," he smiled, cuddling him close. "Look at how tiny you are! I expected you to be bigger."
"Why?" James laughed.
Sirius shrugged. "I've never seen a newborn before." He kissed the baby's head. "All right, Harry, let's let Uncle Remus hold you next."
Remus took the baby with an expression of sheer joy. He held him close, looking at him silently. After a moment, as his eyes welled with tears, he passed him to Aidan.
Aidan held the baby for a moment, trying to get the feel for it, knowing that his own turn at being a father would come soon enough. After a moment, he passed the baby to Olivia. After introducing herself, she gave him back to Lily.
"Wait," Lily said. "Peter, you didn't get a turn. Do you want to hold Harry?"
Peter hesitated a moment, then came forward. He looked at the clock as he took the baby, noting that it was after midnight.
"What is his birthday?" he asked.
"July thirty-first," James said. "He only made it by about forty minutes, but it's enough."
"July thirty-first," Peter repeated softly. He looked down at the tiny, defenseless baby in his arms, thinking of the outstanding trials that were in store for him. Peter swallowed hard. He had never been more afraid.