A/N: Here we are once more, thank you to those of you who reviewed, I truly appreciate all your input. Ok, now for more story, like I said on earlier chapters this is a darker and sadder chapter, so I recommend that you take this time to get some tissues and maybe put some happy tune to cheer you up.
Disclaimer: HP is not mine.

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Chapter 5 ~ Back in Gryffindor Manor
Lily was rather sad after Katie's departure. She missed her daily visits with her friend, the shopping trips to Diagon Alley, specially her company. James tried everything he could think of to cheer her up, but even with the help from both their mothers it wasn't enough. Sirius was also going around with a long face. James had his hands rather full with both Lily and Sirius. He took some time off from the Ministry in order to keep his wife and friend company.

Weeks after Katie's departure, James was sitting at his desk writing some letters when an owl flew through the open window. It landed right in front of James. James stroked its feathers in gratitude before taking the letter. The owl didn't stay long after that, it promptly spread its wings and flew out.

James looked down at the envelope and opened it. It was a letter from Remus.
"I'm returning to keep you company, you might need help with Sirius.

I will be there by the beginning of April, perhaps it would be a good time to start planning your return to the Manor, a couple of months in the country would do a lot of good to Lily and Sirius.

See you soon,

Remus."
Spring was coming and he would have to return to the Manor for the spring planting, the summer festival would take place on the first day of May and he was sure that Lily would enjoy making plans for it. Perhaps it was time to return to the Manor. He had owled Dumbledore about it. Dumbledore agreed that it would be safe for them to return. The attacks on their members were now few and it didn't seem that Voldemort had them in his sights yet, but it would still be a good idea to contract agents from the Ministry for security as long as they stayed in the country.

The sun was shining brightly outside the windows. He could hear the squeals of laughter coming from the small garden behind the house. He knew that his mother and Mrs. Evans were out there with Harry and the twins taking advantage of the first sunny days in weeks.

Lily had gone to see Sirius, who had stayed in his house since Katie left. She had said that Sirius needed some company. James had agreed, it wouldn't do to have Sirius fall into despondency and depression. He would probably go mad.
¨¨¨¨ **** ¨¨¨¨

A couple of mornings later a ragged individual appeared on their front step. It was Remus, and James was happy to see him arrive.

"I've been waiting for you." James said as he led his friend into his bookroom.

"I expected that to be the case. I came as soon as I could. How is he taking it?" James knew that he was speaking of Sirius.

"He is rather depressed, I never thought that he would take it so hard, after all, it was his idea to send her away." James said as he motioned a seat by the windows. He took a seat in front of his friend. The windows looked out to the small garden in the back of the house, at the moment it was empty, as Lily had taken the children and their mothers for a visit to Sirius to see if they could cheer him up.

Remus sighed. "I thought he would too. But I suppose we didn't take into account how much she meant to him."

"I suppose so." James said.

"What has Peter said about this?" Remus asked, it had been some time since he had been contacted by the fourth member of their group.

"I haven't spoken to him in the last week but he did visit Sirius the week after she left." James said.

Remus nodded but said no more. The two friends sat in companionable silence as they waited in the sunlit alcove by the windows.
¨¨¨¨ **** ¨¨¨¨

Lily was quite happy to see Remus after her visit to Sirius' house. Mrs. Evans and Mrs. Potter had taken the twins and Harry to the back garden to give the young people some time on their own.

"Oh, Remus, you don't know how happy I am to see you." She exclaimed when she found Remus with James in the bookroom.

Remus stood from his chair and received Lily's hug with a smile. "How are you doing Lily? Although I shouldn't ask, I can see for myself that you are radiant." He smiled as he looked her over.

Lily smiled. "I'm fine, Harry is good too, you should see him, he will be taking his first steps soon, I'm sure of it. But enough of that, now that you are here we can do something about Sirius."

"How is he doing? James said you had gone to see him." Remus turned serious at the thought of their friend.

Lily sighed with sadness. "He is taking it harder than we thought. He hasn't left his bed from the day she left. He is not eating and he has let his beard grow. He looks so different from the Sirius we know." She exclaimed.

James passed his hand through his hair, as he always did when he was worried or thinking. Remus was biting his lower lip with worry.

"That just doesn't sound like him. I've never known him to be so despondent." James said as he started pacing before the fireplace.

"I never thought I would see the day when Sirius would stop eating and caring about his looks." Remus said.

James and Lily smiled a little. It was a bit humorous if you thought about it, but they really didn't want to see the humor in it.

"What are we going to do?" Lily asked.

"We were talking about going back to the Manor, the country air would do him some good." James said looking at Lily. He was hoping to see the reaction that this news would have on her.

Lily thought about it for a minute. "It would help. But is it safe?" She asked at James.

"I owled Dumbledore, he says it is for the moment, but as a precaution we should ask the Ministry for some agents to take care of security at the Manor." James said.

Remus frowned in confusion. He didn't see what the need was for all of that security but he had a feeling that his friends would not tell him about it if he asked.

Lily nodded her agreement. "When should we move?"

"As soon as I can make the arrangements with the Ministry. Remus and I will go tomorrow. Visit Sirius tomorrow, let him know. We are going to have to care for his packing, I'm not sure he would do so himself." James said.

Lily nodded. "Our mothers would do that, they are the motherly sort." She smiled.

"We are set then. If everything goes as it should, we would be able to leave by the end of the week." James said.

The others agreed, the sooner they moved back to the Manor the sooner they could work on Sirius.
¨¨¨¨ **** ¨¨¨¨ The Ministry agreed to James' request. Five agents of their security squad would travel with them to Gryffindor Manor. James didn't think that five agents would be enough if Voldemort decided to attack them, but it was the best that he could do, he would just have to tell the tenants and servants in the estate to be on alert.

Mrs. Potter and Mrs. Evans took care of Sirius and the arrangements to move his household to the country, not that he paid much attention to what was going on around him.

The servants in the Potter House ran from one room to the other, readying the house to be closed and moving all the necessary items and people back to the Manor.

James made sure to visit with his solicitor and make some final arrangements, while Remus tried to make Sirius to leave his bed and visit his own solicitor. He finally was able to succeed, but Sirius didn't seem too happy about it.

By the end of the week, everything was ready and two cars along with two large trucks stood in front of the Potter House (Sirius' things had been taken care of first because he had less items to move than James and Lily).

Mrs. Potter and Mrs. Evans kept the twins and Harry entertained as Lily and James made sure they weren't forgetting anything. Remus tried to keep Sirius out of the way as they sat waiting in the parlor room for their friends to be done.

"I don't see why I have to go." Said Sirius for the hundredth time that week.

"We don't want to leave you here on your own." Remus replied for the hundredth time.

Sirius snorted his disagreement.

"You know you would do so if Katie was here." Remus said.

Sirius just shrugged.

Remus sighed with exasperation. "Honestly Sirius, you are acting like a child."

"Am not!" Sirius pouted.

Remus laughed. "Yes you are."

Sirius glowered at his friend. He was not acting like a child, he thought.

"Come, cheer up. Katie is safe and sound, you read the owl that Snape sent, she got to her destination and she will be safe for as long as she stays there." Remus said.

"I suppose, but I miss her Remus." Sirius said.

"I know you do. But she wouldn't like to see you like this." Remus said kindly. He knew how hard it was for Sirius to say this, he wasn't somebody who like to talk about feelings.

Sirius sighed. "No she wouldn't." He said.

James walked into the room at that moment. "Let's go. Everything is ready."

The three young men walked out of the room toward the front door. It was chaos outside. Lily was trying to get the servants in order. Mrs. Potter and Mrs. Evans were sitting in one of the cars with the twins and a young nursery maid, the old nurse that had been with the twins from the time of their birth was not going to go with them this time. She was going to stay behind and retire to go to live with her sister in Wales.

James led Remus and Sirius to the remaining car, Harry was waiting within, sleeping in a pile of blankets.

It wasn't long when the cars where seen pulling from Rowe Square and making their way out of town.
¨¨¨¨ **** ¨¨¨¨

The trip didn't take too long. Harry slept most of the way while Sirius looked out the windows in silence. James, Lily and Remus kept glancing at Sirius from time to time, but he didn't say a word throughout the trip, which was quite uncommon for him. Usually, Sirius was always exclaiming over every little thing he saw on the road as if he had never seen them before (which in some cases was true as he apparated or flooed more often than drove), but this time he looked morosely out of the window, he didn't even say a thing when Harry awoke screaming in the middle of the drive.

It was late in the afternoon when the small caravan made its way into the village. Townspeople stepped out of their houses and shops to watch the group pass by. Everybody was happy to see the family back in the Manor.

Later that night, Harry and the twins had been taken to their rooms to sleep while the adults finished with dinner.

"What are you planning to do tomorrow James?" Asked Lily as the dessert was served.

"I should go and speak with Sanders. I need to check on what was done while we were gone and how the plans for the planting are going." James replied.

"We should commence and plan for the May Day celebration dear, it is a custom and the tenants will be quite disappointed if we do not do it." Mrs. Potter said to Lily.

Lily nodded enthusiastically. The May Day celebration was a big fair that the tenants had every year to celebrate the spring season and the completion of the planting of crops, it was such an old custom that nobody ever remembered a time in which it had not been celebrated.

"Perhaps we should join you James, I am looking forward to a ride through your lands, I'm sure the fresh air will do us some good. Don't you agree Sirius?" Remus said hoping that the idea of a day out of doors would cheer their friend up.

Sirius shrugged but didn't say anything, he just continued to pick his food and moving it around the plate, none of it seemed to make its way to his mouth.

Remus sighed while the others just looked at Sirius with sadness in their eyes.

The plates were taken from the table and the tray with port and tea was brought in.

"Take the tea to the parlor, Roberts. We, ladies, shall retire there." Lily said leaving the table. Mrs. Potter and Mrs. Evans followed suit and left the room.

James knew what they wanted, they wanted him and Remus to do something about Sirius. But they simply didn't know what to do.

Remus cleared his throat several times as Roberts poured the dark drink into the goblets in front of each young man. Sirius took his filled glass and drank greedily. James was afraid that his friend was going to try to drink himself into a stupor. He didn't want to explain to Lily if they allowed him to get drunk.

"Do you lot fancy a trip to the kitchens? It has been some time since we visited Otty. I hear he has been working on some wonderful pastries the whole day." James said trying to keep the decanter away from Sirius' grasp.

"A good idea, Sirius here will enjoy them." Remus exclaimed.

"No I won't." Frowned Sirius when he noticed that his friends were trying to keep the port away from him.

"Yes you will, I bet you are hungry." Remus said.

"You didn't eat much, your stomach must be bothering you." James replied.

"I'm not hungry. I'm just thirsty." Sirius growled.

"Roberts will bring you some pumpkin juice if you wish." Offered James.

"I don't want pumpkin juice. Besides, it seems a waste as long as we have that decanter here." Sirius nodded at the port that the others had placed in the opposite side of the table from him.

"Oh no, you would prefer the homemade pumpkin juice that Otty prepares, much better than this." Remus said with a wave of his hand toward the decanter.

"How would you know?" Exclaimed Sirius.

"Hmmm.James sent me a bottle one time." Remus quickly replied.

James nodded his agreement.

"Fine!" Sirius said giving up, he knew his friends would not allow him to lose himself in alcohol.

James happily ordered Roberts to bring a pitcher of homemade pumpkin juice and to take the port with him.

Roberts did so promptly. He was fond of the young men that had visited the Manor so often, and to see Master Sirius in such a despondent way was making him feel rather sorry for him and he knew that Sirius would not appreciate it if he knew that he was being pitied by the household.

Sirius didn't stay with the others for long. As soon as James and Remus decided to join the ladies he made his excuses and left for his bedroom.

He walked quickly through the dark corridors as he made his way to the west wing where the guest bedrooms were located. He passed the magical portraits without looking at them and didn't bother to light a candle or a lamp as he walked into the dark corridor that led to his room.

The house was quiet and the room dark as he entered. Only one candle lit his steps as he walked to the bed.

He didn't bother to change out of his robes. He just lay on top of the covers and thought. He wondered where Katie was and how she was doing. Was the weather fair where she had gone, or was it cold? He turned on his side and smiled a little. On top of his bed was a small picture, it seemed that the twins had visited his room before they went to bed. The picture was of the twins with Katie, it had been taken that last Christmas. It was a magical picture and he saw the black and white Katie smile and wave to him. He took it and stroked the surface of the picture with his finger. The photographic twins giggled as Katie blew a kiss to him. He turned the picture around and saw written in a childish writing a small sentence. Don't be sad!

Sirius smiled and with the picture clasped in his hand, he fell asleep.

¨¨¨¨ **** ¨¨¨¨

The next day was bright and warm. The birds were singing happily on the treetops and the laughter from the nursery rooms could be heard throughout the house. James was standing in front of the balcony windows of his bedroom as Lily fed Harry on the bed. He thought of the previous night and his friend's dismal attitude. He never thought that the day would arrive when Sirius was not cheerful and in need of making those around him laugh. He had always been the clown of their little group, he was the one that made everybody else forget their troubles and think only of having fun and enjoying the moment. But he seemed a different person now. He seemed like a soulless being, the happiness and hope gone along with Katie. A human version of a Dementor. He had the feeling that if one of those macabre guardians of the Wizard prison of Azkaban got a hold of his friend, they would have no effect on Sirius at all.

Harry was laughing and James turned to look at his wife and child as Lily played with Harry on the bed.

"He is growing too fast." He said as he neared the bed.

"I know, isn't it horrid? He is almost nine months and he has grown so much." Lily said.

"He will be walking soon." James said as he sat on one corner of the bed watching Harry crawling to his mother.

"We need to make the house safe for him. Once he starts walking he will hurt himself if we don't take care." Lily said.

James nodded.

They heard the thunderous sound of running steps. They smiled as the door opened abruptly and the twins care running into the room.

"You forgot to knock on the door, girls." The twins didn't even hear James chide as they ran to the bed as Harry squealed with laughter at the sight of his cousins.

"Good morning Harry!" They greeted before turning to look at the adults.

"Good morning Uncle James!"

"Good morning Aunt Lily!"

"Good morning. Isn't it a little too early for you two to be bursting into rooms?" James asked as both girls climbed onto the bed to join their small cousin.

"Oh, we've been up for hours." Francesca said.

"We were in the kennels earlier, to see the puppies." Cassandra said.

They moved a small bundle that James hadn't seen until now, a small furry face appeared from beneath.

Harry reached for it but one of the girls grabbed it first. A young ginger cat was promptly dumped onto Harry's lap.

Harry tried to pull the tail and put it in his mouth before his mother stopped him. The sleeping cat didn't seem to mind.

"Really, he just likes to put everything into his mouth." Lily complained.

"I thought you said that all infants do that." James laughed.

"They do, but that doesn't mean I like it when he does it." Lily explained.

"Of course dear." Said James as kissed her cheek. "I'm going to take Remus and Sirius around the estate. Hopefully that will keep Sirius occupied."

"Do you think he will get better?" Lily frowned with worry.

"I hope so." James replied before leaving the room.

James thought about his friend as he made his way to the breakfast room. On previous visits, Sirius was the first to arrive at the dining room, hopefully, James thought, this time wouldn't be different.

Sirius was in the dining room, but Remus was there as well.

"Good morning. Slept well?" James asked as he chose his food before he sat at the head of the table.

"Very comfortable." Remus said.

Sirius only grunted.

"I hope the girls didn't wake you. We thought it best if the girls and our mothers stayed here for the night after the trip. They will be returning to the Dower House later today." James said.

"Oh no, they didn't bother me at all." Remus said.

James and Remus looked expectantly at Sirius.

"Nope, no bother." He said.

James nodded.

The three ate in silence. James read the Daily Prophet as Remus sat eating greedily and Sirius picked at his food, but this time, some of the food made its way into his mouth.

It wasn't long when the three were seen riding toward the eastern fields of the estate on their way to see about the spring planting preparation.
¨¨¨¨ **** ¨¨¨¨

James had been correct in saying that Mrs. Potter and Mrs. Evans would move back into the Dower House later that day. No sooner where the young men gone than servants were seen taking luggage and supplies to the Dower House a few miles away from the main house. The twins stayed in the nursery with Harry and Minnie trying to stay out of the way.

Things would settle down to normal as soon as things were in order and the planning for the May Day celebration could start.

Everybody was looking forward to this year's celebration. It was on this festival when all the newborn animals and children were presented to the estate. This year, the ceremony would be extra especial as Harry, as the new born heir of the Manor, would claim his place among their people.

Lily's favorite part of the celebration was the maypole dance. Having been born and raised in the city, she had never learned about all the country customs and beliefs, but her marriage to James had opened up a new world to her that she embraced with open arms and she was looking forward to teaching her offspring about all of them.

The twins were also very excited about this year's celebration. This year they would enter the ranks of unmarried maidens (it was tradition for all girls of ten years and older to be presented as maidens in the celebration) and as such, it was their time to dance around the maypole. Special dressed would be ordered for them and a crown of flowers was to be prepared for them.

The family was in a festive mood and they were all prepared to do whatever necessary to pull Sirius along with them.

¨¨¨¨ **** ¨¨¨¨

Things couldn't be any better. They had been back in the Manor for one week and preparations for the celebrations were coming along. Sirius had started to eat once more, even though he still fell into moments of depression. The girls had taken it upon themselves, with the help of Baby Harry, to make Uncle Sirius laugh again and the adults were happy to see that they were succeeding. Sirius was often found in the nursery or the gardens with the children, their innocent chatter and laughter seemed to cheer him up.

James went in search of Sirius on one sunny afternoon. He had gone to the nursery in search of him and Minnie had told him that Sirius had taken the children to Quidditch Pitch. James had found this very encouraging. From the moment they had returned from London, Sirius had given up his usual entertainments. It had taken James and Remus long hours trying to convince them to join them in their daily morning rides about the estate. They had even tried to get Sirius to join them for a fly around the Quidditch Pitch, they weren't very successful.

James walked along the gardens making his way to the apple orchard, behind which the Quidditch Pitch was hidden, in a sunny mood. He looked around at the growing fruit as he passed by the tall apple trees and heard Sirius' laughter as he neared the middle of the orchard. The tall walls around the Pitch hid the sight within, but just the sound of merriment made James smile.

He found Sirius on all fours with Harry on his back and one of the twins walking beside him keeping hold of Harry. Cassie was on a broom (James had bought them one each for Christmas), flying around them.

James stayed by the entrance. It was a good idea to come to the country, he thought, the children's merry spirit was doing much good for Sirius.

Francie took Harry from Sirius' back and put him down on the floor. Harry was laughing and Sirius sat on the floor looking at his godson crawling back to him. Sirius raised him high in his arms above his head after Harry finally reached him. Harry laughed and the twins flew around them on their brooms.

James smiled brightly, it was good to see his friend happy again.

"Care to join us?" Sirius yelled at his direction, it seemed that he had caught sight of James.

James walked up to them. The twins had stopped flying around in circles and hovered above the ground waiting for him to approach the small group.

"I see that you are feeling much better." James said.

Harry heard his father's voice and turned to look at him. His face brightened in a happy smile and tried to reach for him.

"Deserter." Laughed Sirius as he raised Harry toward James.

James took his son in his arms. Harry instantly leaned his little head against him and put his finger in his mouth. Minutes later he was sleeping.

"He had an action-packed day." Sirius laughed.

"I see that."

"Uncle James!"

"Look at us!" The twins squealed as they flew around them.

They were trying to do tricks on their brooms, even though it seemed they had not perfected them.

"Be careful!" James said with a smile.

"Uncle Sirius taught us."

"Before giving Harry a ride." They said hovering before their uncle.

"Well, just be careful, don't fly up too high." James said.

"Ok." They chirped and continued with their flying.

"Were you looking for me?" Sirius asked once James was sure that the twins wouldn't hurt themselves.

"Yes, we are going to the village to look if preparations are going fine. We have just one more week to prepare. We wanted to see if you wanted to come along." James said as he stroked his son's back.

"No I'm fine, I'll keep an eye on them." Sirius said nodding to the girls.

James nodded his agreement. Moments later, he was seen marching through the garden back to the house with a sleeping infant against his chest.

He walked up to the parlor once he had entered the house. His mother and Lily were there waiting for him.

"Oh, poor dear, he must be so tired." Mrs. Potter exclaimed when she saw the sleeping child on her son's arms.

"Yes, they were playing in the Quidditch Pitch with Sirius." Said James as he carefully tried to move Harry toward Lily's waiting arms.

"How is he doing?" Asked Lily as she took Harry in her arms.

"Sirius is fine, he was having fun with them. He says he'll stay behind to keep an eye on the girls." James said.

The ladies nodded and both looked with tender expressions down to Harry as he continued to sleep, unaware of everything around him.

¨¨¨¨ **** ¨¨¨¨

The girls didn't stay long out on the Quidditch Pitch, much to Sirius relief. After James and Lily left to the village with their mothers, the girls decided to play in the garden. As the gardeners were working in full force, Sirius didn't feel the need to stay with them.

Sirius made his way through the house looking for something to entertain him. Remus had been spending most of the day in his rooms resting. The nights were rather long and sleepless as the full moon was getting near. Sirius arrived at the portrait corridor near the family parlor. This corridor was at the end of the long hall, it was rather hidden and could easily be missed if a person didn't know of it. Unlike the portraits and paintings throughout the public rooms of the house, that were clearly expensive and very muggle, these portraits were magical. Painting after painting of Potter ancestors rested and looked out to the present generation. It was always amazing to Sirius that all male Potters looked almost alike, the only thing that differed in some cases was the color of their eyes, it seemed that they all inherited their father's looks but their eyes, that always came from their mothers. The female half was rather different from their male counterparts. All the women looked strong- minded but loving all the same. Everybody was waving and greeting Sirius as he passed looking at each of them. At the very end, new portraits had been hung. Two of them to be exact. One was of James and Lily, painted weeks before they returned to the Manor, and one of the twins, it had been commissioned just before Christmas. Next to James and Lily's portrait was the portrait of handsome couple. It was James' father and mother, painted when James was about the same age Harry was now. Sirius smiled. The Potters had always been rather proud of their heritage and family had always been the most important part of their lives. The fact that they were descendants of Godric Gryffindor didn't make them the important family they were, besides, half the magical population was descendant from one or two of the Hogwarts founders. Sirius himself was descendant from both Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. No, that wasn't what made the Potter family one of the most powerful families in the magical world. It was their talent and what they chose to do with it. No member of the Potter family had even been suspected of using Dark magic, nor had they ever supported anyone who did. If Voldemort ever came after them looking for their support, he would have a rough time of it. Sirius knew that they would rather die than work with him to bring the destruction of the Magical World.

Poor Harry, he thought, he had large shoes to fill when his time came to take over the estate. At least, he would have the support of both his parents to lead him through life. And, Sirius thought with a smile, Sirius himself would be there to help along the way.

After leaving the portrait gallery behind, Sirius made his way to the Game room. He didn't understand why it was called a game room, it looked more like an entertainment room to him. The old billiard table stood on one side of the room, a small bar next to it. There were two card tables as well as electronic games along the middle of the room. The other half of the room was full of new electric devices. A large television stood against the far wall, a video tape recorder was attached to it and a large record player beside it. Several videotapes were shelved along the wall, next to the television. Next to the record player was a large collection of records. Sirius looked around, now was he to do with himself?

¨¨¨¨ **** ¨¨¨¨

The shopping party didn't take long in the village. James hated going shopping, he didn't see the need to look at every window of every single shop if there was nothing that he needed from it. But his wife and their mothers did, and he had to put up with it. At least he had Harry's company, he thought.

"Where are the girls Roberts?" He asked the moment he entered the house. Lily and their mothers had retired to the parlor to talk about their purchases taking Harry with them.

"They are in their room, Master James." Roberts reported.

James nodded somewhat distracted. "What about Sirius?" He asked next as he remembered where he was.

"I believe he is in the game room." Roberts replied.

James nodded again and made his way to the game room. He crossed the narrow corridor toward the private family rooms, he passed the family parlor and he heard the chatter of his ladies as he walked by. He then passed by the family dining room and stepped into the family portrait gallery.

The corridor widened at this point, but unlike Sirius, James passed by without looking at the portraits. He walked briskly toward the room at the very end of the corridor.

Because the room was at the very end of the of the wing, there were windows on three sides of the room. Long French windows lined three of the four walls, each window with an alcove allowing people to seat by the glass. Heavy curtains hanged by the windows that could easily close to impede the light to come into the room. The small bar stood at one corner of two of these windowed walls, the billiard table in front of it. Beside the billiard table were two card tables, four chairs around each and along the wall more chairs if needed. There were also electronic games, his father had bought them for him when they first came to the market. They were in the middle of the room, dividing the game part of the room with the entertainment part. On the solid wall at the end of the room stood a large cabinet, with large oak panes along it. The panes could be open and a television was revealed, below it a video cassette recorder, a device that had first come out to market some seven years ago. Beside the cabinet were shelves. On one side, several video tapes were shelved, on the other, above and beside a record player, was a large collection of records of all types of music. In front of the cabinet was a table and couches. It was in one of these couches that James spied his friend.

"There you are, I was looking for you." James exclaimed.

"I was watching one of these tapes that you have here, not much to do after the girls decided to leave the Pitch." Said Sirius as he stretched on the couch.

The two friends stayed in the game room for the rest of the afternoon. After watching one of the tapes they moved to the billiard table, the bar was promptly opened and a spirited game was underway.

¨¨¨¨ **** ¨¨¨¨

The May Day celebration was upon them. The girls were in a constant state of excitement and the ladies of the house were busy with last minute arrangements. In the middle of the village square was erected a tall pole, several strands of silk ribbon hanged from the top ready for the Maypole dance around it by the maiden girls of the village and surrounding estates. The church and vicarage were adorned profusely with recent blooming flowers. A carpet of flower petals was placed at the front steps of the church. The familiar booths had been placed around the village square, waiting for their owners to place their wares for selling and entertain.

The May Day celebration was a big day for the village, just like the Midsummer celebration and the Harvest Festival. Their ancestors used to celebrate as often as they could and they had continued the traditions, even if nobody could remember how or why they had begun.

The morning of the celebration was complete chaos in the Dower House of the Gryffindor estate.

"Where is my crown, I can't find my crown." Wailed Cassie as she made a mess of her half of their room.

"Well, I can't find my gloves." Her sister wailed from the other side of the room as she threw everything out of her dresser drawers.

"You would be able to find what you are looking for if you calmed down." Their grandmother snapped with exasperation. She was trying so hard to hide her nervousness.

"Why don't we leave your maid to look for them, I'm sure that she can find them." Said Mrs. Evans trying to soothe the fraying nerves of the others. She herself was new to this celebration and couldn't understand what was so important about it.

"Yes, perhaps that would be best. We can breakfast as we wait for James to come for us." Sighed Mrs. Potter.

The girls grudgingly followed the older ladies from the room and left their maid to make order of the chaos they left behind.

Hot porridge, fried eggs, bacon, freshly baked biscuits, cold cereal and hot tea and chocolate awaited them at the small dining room.

The Dower House was really small compared to the Manor house, it could easily fit in the middle of the entrance hall. It consisted of two floor levels, the bottom level was for the public rooms and the upper level for the bedrooms.

The lower level housed a small library, a formal parlor and formal dining room at the front half of the house. A small dance room divided the public rooms from the family rooms. A narrow corridor stood between the side wall of the dining room and the dance room leading to the private part of the house. Against the wall of the library was a staircase leading to the upper level.

At the end of the narrow corridor a door opened to the preparation chamber. It had long tables against the walls, one of the walls had an opening with a wooden panel, it connected to the kitchens and in times of formal entertainments the tables were laden with platters and drinks waiting to be served to the guests. Another door led to a wide corridor, at one end was a spiral staircase, beside it, the door to the kitchen, on the wall beside it were two doors, one opened to the family dining room and the other to the family parlor.

It had a cozy atmosphere, even if it was small. It had originally been built four generations ago for the mother of the Leader of the Potter family, in order to give him and his family some privacy. After that, as each Potter heir married, his mother moved to the Dower House if it was her choice, some would move to Godric's Hollow, others to the London House, but some remained to help their successor with the management of the Manor House and to be near the grandchildren.

The girls ate silently as Mrs. Potter chatted about he celebration and the importance of it to Mrs. Evans.

"It's such an important time you know. It is when the girls become maidens and leave the schoolroom to be trained to become young ladies. I remember the year when Elizabeth danced around the Maypole for the first time. She was so excited."

"Do they dance every year until they marry?" Mrs. Evans asked. Having been born and raised in the city made her a little ignorant about the country ways.

"They used to, in previous centuries. You know that girls used to marry by the time they were eighteen. At that time they would dance around the Maypole until they married, but now girls marry a little older. We decided that they would continue dancing until they turned seventeen. So very few girls marry before then." Mrs. Potter said.

"I had heard about the May Day celebrations of course, I just never knew what it was really about." Mrs. Evans replied.

"Well, each region has different ways of celebrating it of course, but the one thing that remains the same is dancing around the Maypole, it's just the why that differ." Mrs. Potter responded.

"I see that I missed a lot of fun growing up in the city." Laughed Mrs. Evans.

¨¨¨¨ **** ¨¨¨¨

At the Manor House, Lily was a bundle of nerves.

"It looks like a dress James, I don't want my son in a dress." Lily exclaimed as she watched Minnie ready Harry for his presentation.

"It is a presentation robe Lily. You know how robes look like." James said with exasperation in his voice.

"Don't speak to me like that, and that 'robe' as you call it, looks like a dress. When have you seen a white robe? Honestly James." She exclaimed.

"Believe me, it is a robe. I wore it when I was presented, my father wore it, so did my grandfather." James said.

"But James-"

"No buts Lily, it is customary for the heir of the Potter estate to wear it at his presentation." James countered.

"Fine, but I don't like it." Lily snapped.

James smiled and put his arms around her waist.

"Lily, don't worry. All we have to do is go to the estate chapel, the vicar will be waiting for us there, he will give a blessing and present Harry as the Heir to the Potter estate to the tenants. Then we will go to the village where the girls will be presented as new maidens and take their place among the others and dance around the Maypole. You have to do nothing, all you have to do is stand there calmly, smile, and look just as beautiful like you always do." He kissed her cheek as he said this.

Lily made a face to him but she was calmer.

"Master Harry is ready, Master James." Squeaked Minnie.

"Thank you Minnie, we will take over now." James said and took Harry from the crib.

Harry looked up to his father's face and smiled.

"See, he doesn't think that it looks like a dress." James said as he placed Harry into Lily's arms.

"Of course he doesn't, he doesn't know any better." Snorted Lily.

"I didn't mind it." James said as they made their way to the family dining room to break their fast.

"Do you actually remember your presentation day?" Asked Lily somewhat skeptically.

"Well, no. But it's only because I was a few weeks old when I was presented." James said. "In fact, mother says that I was baptized on the same day."

"Then don't tell me that you didn't mind it." Said Lily.

James shrugged.

They had arrived at the family dining room. Remus and Sirius were already sitting at the table with their plates full, Peter - who had arrived the night before to take part of the celebrations - was busily choosing from the large array of food.

"Good morning." Lily and James said as they entered into the room.

"Morning." Replied Remus and Peter.

"Mrfink."

"Sirius, don't speak with your mouth full." Lily chided as she sat Harry on his chair and put a large bib that covered the whole front of his robes.

"Sorry. Good morning." Sirius said after swallowing in a hurry. The depression that had taken hold of him after Katie's departure seemed to have lifted and his sunny self was quickly returning, much to the joy of his friends. "That looks like a dress." He commented as he looked at Harry.

"See I told you!"

"It's a presentation robe!"

Remus laughed. "Calm down James. We know that is customary for him to wear it, don't pay Sirius any attention."

Sirius frowned at his friend.

"Why does it have to be white, why isn't it golden or scarlet, those are Gryffindor's colors after all." Said Peter as he sat at the table.

Everybody turned to look at James with questioning glances.

"Don't look at me, I wasn't the one to start this tradition. How should I know why they chose white instead of red or gold?" James exclaimed.

"Well, it is your family tradition, there should be a record of it somewhere." Lily said as she started feeding Harry from a plate that Roberts had placed in front of her.

"Nope, the only thing that the earliest record about the presentation says is that a white christening robe was ordered. I wasn't the only Potter Heir to be christened the same day of his presentation." James replied.

"Oh well, a rather odd color to chose though." Said Peter as he started to empty his plate.

James glowered as the others nodded.

"Never mind James, maybe Harry will decide to change the color when the time comes for him to present his son." Remus said.

James looked shocked at the thought. "He can't do that, it's tradition!" He exclaimed.

Lily giggled as the others tried hard not to laugh. Harry was squealing with laughter and clapping his little hands.

"He seemed to like the idea." Sirius chocked out.

James growled but didn't say anything.

After breakfast, the group was ready to cross the gardens toward the Dower House and pick up the girls, Mrs. Potter and Mrs. Evans.

The day was sunny and clear and the birds were happily singing as they said hello to the new day.

The ladies were waiting for them at the front of the house. The girls were wearing long white dresses. A ribbon at the waist - Cassie wore pink while Francie wore yellow - with a large bow at the back. Pale flowers were embroidered around the neckline and at the hem of the skirt. The sleeves were short with ribbons of all colors falling down to their elbows. Their hands were covered in white gloves and a crown made of freshly cut flowers adorned their head.

"You look very pretty." Said James at the sight of his nieces.

The girls blushed and shyly said "Thank you."

"I have a gift for you." James said and took out two narrow boxes from his pocket. He gave one to Lily - Harry had been passed to his grandmothers who were busily gushing over him - and took the other and stood behind one of the girls. The box was opened and a golden chain fell to his hand, hanging from the chain was a pendant with the word Francesca engraved in the petal of a daisy, at the center of the flower was a small diamond. After he did the same with Cassandra (hers had her name engraved) he stood back and looked proudly at the two young girls.

"Thank you Uncle James." Both girls exclaimed after studying their gift and hugged him tightly.

"You are welcome. Your mother would be so proud of you right now." He said sadly at the thought of his sister and father who hadn't lived long enough to see this day. He cleared his throat abruptly. "Ready then? Let's go."

The small group walked happily toward the chapel where all the servants and tenants living in the estate had assembled to be presented to their future master.

An arch of flowers adorned the door of the chapel, the vicar stood in front of it with an indulgent smile looking at the assembled parishioners. The tenants and servants stood around the door in a semicircle, each carried a flower, from young child to elder servant. They all smiled and waved as they saw their master and his family walk up the lane to the chapel.

Baby Harry lay quietly in his mother's arms, oblivious to anything around him as he slept blissfully. The twins were skipping along their elders, anxious to start the exciting day. James walked beside Lily, both looking smugly proud of their young charges. Behind them, Sirius led Mrs. Potter and Remus lent his arm to Mrs. Evans.

Those surrounding the chapel stood quietly as James and Lily passed toward the center to stand in front of the vicar. The others followed closely behind.

"This is a merry day, let us thank for the joy that Spring has brought us - " The vicar began. Everybody stood quietly as his voice droned on and on through the sunny, warm day.

Eventually, it was time for Harry to be passed to the vicar. Harry was now wide awake and looked around him as he left his mother's arms.

"With the beginning of Summer, new seedlings bloom, and new starts begin. This is Harry James Potter, son of James and Lily Potter, the next master of the Gryffindor estate and all that entails, may his life be free of tribulation and may he know only happiness and fear no evil." The vicar finished as Harry looked up at him with wide eyes.

The crowd applauded and cheered. Harry looked wildly around him, as the deafening noise filled the air.

Harry was passed back to Lily, who looked smilingly down at her son.

"Let us go to the village and have a good time." James yelled to the crowd.

Everybody cheered once more and slowly the crowd started to make its way toward the village, where the townspeople were ready to start the celebrations.

Colorful flags and streets covered with flower petals greeted the group from the Manor. The usual booths of food and games stood around the village square and a tall pole stood at its center. A small band waited at one corner of the square, testing their instruments, much to the amusement of the young people standing around the square.

The twins were excitedly waiting by their grandmother as they looked forward for the dancing to begin, when they would take their place with the young maidens of the surrounding area.

Flowers seemed to be the choice for adornment on this occasion. Freshly cut flowers, of all kinds and colors were hung in large quantities around the village.

The pole at the center of the square also had an adornment of flowers at the very top, along with a colorful array of silken ribbons hanging toward the floor.

Several young girls, all dressed in white, waited along the square; each sat by their mothers waiting for the time for them to take their place along the pole.

"When is it going to start?"

"Nana, why is it taking too long?" The twins asked their grandmother.

"It will not take too long, my dears. We are just waiting for the Old Mother to arrive." Mrs. Potter said.

"Who is that?" Asked Sirius. He had never been in the Manor when this celebration had taken place before, therefore, he was new to it as the rest seemed to be.

"An older lady is chosen every year to represent the Old Mother, or mother Earth if you will, she greets the new maidens and welcomes back those returning and then the dancing can commence." James said.

"How come you had never invited us to come and see this?" Sirius asked.

"Because you prefer to stay in London and attend the social parties than to come to the country." James replied.

"There are no social parties during the summer James, it's to hot for the hostesses. Most people just take their parties to the country." Sirius responded.

"You would know. Anyways, you come for the midsummer and Harvest celebrations and up to now, we haven't had anybody to participate so we have just come as spectators, and before then, we were at Hogwarts at this time of the year." James explained.

"Oh look, is that the Old Mother?" One of the twins squealed and pointed toward the opposite end of the square.

An old lady made her way slowly toward the center of the square. She was dressed in white, just like all the young girls, she carried a wooden rod in one hand and a bouquet of flowers in her other one.

"Yes, that's her. Get ready now, it's almost time to start." Mrs. Potter urged the twins.

Both seemed too high-strung with nerves, but excited all the same.

The old lady stood in the center of the square, next to the pole. All the young girls formed a circle around her and the crowd just formed a circle around them, everybody craning their necks for a better look. The vicar stepped from the crowd, still dressed in his black robes from the ceremony he had performed at the Manor chapel before.

"The end of new spring has begun, and the fruits of our labor are blooming - " The old lady began. Everybody stood attentively, listening closely to what she had to say.

The twins were standing still at their place around in the circle. Lily and James smiled indulgently as they noticed one of the twins twisting one of the ribbons adorning her sleeve. Harry slept in Mrs. Evans' arms, the droning of the old lady's voice soothing him into blissful dreams. Sirius looked around as a curious child, everything seemed so new and innocent to him it was hard to remember, that at one part of the country, a crazed man was bringing pain and horror to their world. Remus stood by his friends, happy that he was invited to participate on this occasion; it didn't matter to him that it was a full moon that night, at least, he would carry a good memory with him.

"Let us pray that these young ladies become excellent, hard-working women, loving beings with merry hearts." The vicar said after the old lady had finished her speech.

Heads bowed, the congregation gave a small prayer. "Let the festivities begin." The old lady said.

The crowd cheered as the old lady and the vicar left the center of the maiden circle and took their places among the crowd. The small band started to play a merry tune. The young girls curtsied and took hold of one of the ribbons hanging from the pole and started to go round and round the pole, skipping and turning as the ribbons formed a colorful tapestry along the pole. The dancing continued for at least half an hour, the ribbons rolled and unrolled along with the steps of the dancing. The crowd applauded and cheered as the young girls danced as the proud families looked happily at their young maidens take part of a long village tradition.

Eventually the music died down and the pole was completely covered by the ribbons. The girls joined their happy families as the dancing commenced once more and the floor was opened for the crowd to dance.

"Oh that was fun!" Exclaimed Cassie as she and her sister skipped back to their grandmother.

"How long do we this?" Francie eagerly asked.

"Until you turn seventeen." Mrs. Potter said as she hugged them.

"You did good girls." James exclaimed.

"You looked so beautiful." Mrs. Evans exclaimed.

"They did look like sprites dancing." Lily smiled.

"Well, what do you feel now that you are young maidens?" Sirius asked.

"I don't feel any different." Cassied frowned.

"Nor do I." Francie said.

"I don't think you are supposed to feel any different. Stop teasing them Sirius." Remus laughed.

"Oh well, I thought that they would feel different." Sirius shrugged.

"Never mind, let's go and see what they have, I'm feeling a little hungry and that smell of grilled corn is beckoning to me." James said as he craned his neck trying to find the booth that had the corn.

"Now you are talking!" Sirius exclaimed.

The others laughed but didn't argue with their plan, everybody was feeling a little hungry.

The group walked among the crowd, stopped now and then as their neighbors congratulated the children. Harry was now awake and sat on his stroller that one of the servants had procured from the Manor for his use. His eyes darted from one side to another looking around at the kaleidoscope of color that greeted his sight.

They finally found the booths with food and everybody ate as much as they pleased. After, they walked among the rest of the booths looking at all the souvenirs and games. James, Sirius and Remus won some prizes for the ladies and bought some trinkets for the girls. Harry was happily entertained by everything in his sight they seriously didn't know what to buy him.

They returned to the Manor later in the afternoon, the servants were away as James had given them the day off to enjoy the fair. The only ones waiting for them in the house were the house-elves, who had happily taken over the chores of their human housemates. Minnie appeared promptly to take the twins and Harry to the nursery, while Lotty bowed the adults into the family parlor and served them drinks as they all tried to relax after a hectic day.

"That went well." James sighed as he leaned back on his couch.

"Indeed, the girls looked so gorgeous and Harry didn't cry one bit." Exclaimed Lily with pride.

Mrs. Evans nodded her agreement as she drank her tea.

"They were all little angels." Said Mrs. Potter.

Remus and Sirius snickered. "You would say so of course, they are your children." Sirius said.

"Are you saying that they aren't angels?" Asked James turning to look at his friends.

"Well, we do admit that today they behaved themselves and were in their best moods, but they are not angels, at least not all the time." Said Remus.

Lily looked hauntingly at them. "I'll have you know that our children are the best behaved children in the neighborhood."

"Oh I believe that. After seeing those boys trying to climb that pole, I don't doubt that they are the best behaved. I thought those young rascals would fall and break their necks." Remus said.

"Oh yes, I'm so glad that the vicar put a stop to it." Mrs. Evans said.

"You must admit, having that pole in the middle of the square was temptation to those boys." Sirius said.

"I'm sure that you wouldn't have done it if you were their age." Said Lily looking at her husband and his friends.

"Oh don't wager on that dear, the four of them got in more trouble than anybody we knew." Mrs. Potter said.

"You were lucky that they were never here at this time of the year." Laughed James.

The afternoon passed, Mrs. Evans and Mrs. Potter went to the nursery to check on the children and they were planning to retire in one of the rooms nearby to rest. Lily went to check with Otty about dinner as the elves worked around the house. James, Sirius and Remus retired to the game room to entertain themselves.

"I have to leave soon, it's starting to get dark." Remus said as he looked out the window and watched the afternoon sun getting lower on the horizon.

"It's still early. You still have lots of time." Said Sirius.

"But I have a long way to walk Sirius. There is no safe place nearby." Said Remus turning to look at his friends as they stood by the billiard table.

"We'll walk with you past the town, if you go on your own, you are bound to be stopped by the revelers and never get there, I know the back roads and lanes. I'll get you there in no time." Said James.

They continued to play. One hour later, they were stepping out of the room when Lily joined them.

"Going somewhere?" She asked.

"We are going to walk with Remus to the edge of town." James said.

"I'll go with you. Harry has eaten and is sleeping in the nursery and the twins are too busy with their dolls. Our mothers are resting in one of the nursery bedrooms." Said Lily as she joined them.

The foursome left the Manor by the front door. The afternoon was cooler after a hot summer morning. The blooming plants sprouted everywhere.

They walked in silence, they knew each other too well that words were not needed among them.

They finally arrived near the town, the laughter and music from the square was hear through the air. They turned to a dirt lane leading to the east of village. They walked without meeting anyone. For half an hour they walked, until they reached a dense forest.

"There is no need for you to come with me, I'll apparate to the other end, that will take me miles away from here and I'll use the empty hunter's hut." Remus said.

"If that is what you want." James said.

Remus nodded.

"See you tomorrow, old man." Said Sirius slapping his friend's back.

"I'll have a large meal prepared for you." Said Lily as she hugged him.

Remus smiled, but said nothing. After shaking James' hand he turned toward the forest and dissaparated.

¨¨¨¨ **** ¨¨¨¨

The Manor was silent. Only the elves could be seen working inside. The grounds were empty and the tall trees surrounding the western side of the estate loomed darkly in the distance. If anybody would have looked closer, they would've noticed that the estate was not as empty as they thought.

"They just left, my lord, I wager they went to get Lupin out of the way, it is a full moon tonight." A voice said.

"I see, it is a shame that the Potters went along, but the child is inside, he is the one that I want." A low, almost a hiss, voice said.

"I don't understand, my lord, what makes him so important. More so than his parents, he is only an infant." Another voice exclaimed.

"Are you questioning me?" The low voiced answered in anger.

"Oh no, my lord, never."

"What do you want us to do, my lord?" Somebody else asked.

"Get me that child, I don't care what you have to do, but get me that child." With a flurry, the dark shadow disappeared.

"You heard him, now is the time, nobody is around but a lot of house-elves and two old ladies. The children are no danger to us." The man who spoke first said.

The others nodded and slowly, black robed men made their way to the Manor.

Mrs. Potter had joined Mrs. Evans, and were chatting as they watched the girls play with their dolls. Harry slept quietly beside them and Minnie was putting some of the toys away.

Suddenly, the air was filled with high-pitched screeches, they were coming from the ground floor. Mrs. Potter ran to the window and looked down.

"Oh, no!"

"What is it, what is happening?" Mrs. Evans asked.

The screeches were getting louder and explosions could be heard. Minnie whimpered in fright underneath one of the tables and the twins looked scared as they watched their grandmother turned nervously around.

"Darn, I forgot my wand, I never thought that I would use it, today of all things." She exclaimed.

"What is going on Susan?" Mrs. Evans asked again.

Mrs. Potter didn't have time to respond as the door snapped open.

The ladies screeched in fright.

"It is Lotty, Mistress Susan, Master Harry must be taken out, they want Master Harry." The small elf said.

"Take him, Minnie, Lotty, take Harry and leave, we'll follow you." Mrs. Potter said.

By this time Harry was crying, he had been woken abruptly from his sleep and now he was being shoved into his nursery elf's arms.

Lotty took hold of Minnie and they flew out of the room with a crying Harry in Minnie's arms.

"Who is it Susan, who wants Harry?" Mrs. Evans asked.

"The Death Eaters, Rose, they are here." Mrs. Potter whispered to her.

"How? Why?" Mrs. Evans was clearly scared, she had heard James and Lily talk about them, but why would they want Harry?

"I don't know. Come girls, we have to get out of here." Mrs. Potter said to the twins.

The girls ran toward the ladies and clasped their hands.

The group was turning toward the door when it was snapped open once more.

"Where is he?" A robed man asked.

"He is not here." Mrs. Potter said as she stepped in front of the others and stood as rigid as a queen would.

"Where is he?" The man asked again.

"We don't know." Mrs. Potter said.

¨¨¨¨ **** ¨¨¨¨

Lily, James and Sirius walked back to the Manor in silence. The afternoon was turning to dusk and the weather had turned rather cool.

"What is that?'' Asked Sirius as he looked up to the sky as they emerged from the dirt lane.

"I don't know, it's coming from the Manor." Exclaimed James.

"Oh no! James, that is the Dark Mark." Lily cried and started to run up the road that led to the Manor.

"Lily! Wait!" James yelled and ran after his wife.

Sirius ran next to James, both fearing what they would find when they reached the Manor.

They weren't the only ones to notice the cloud floating above the Manor. People in the village had seen it as well, some had recognized it and screamed at the sight of it, others didn't and thought that perhaps that the Manor was on fire. No matter what they thought it was, most of them ran up the lane to the Manor and soon joined Lily, James and Sirius. Many brought hoses, buckets and some were seen carrying wands in their hands.

The sight that met their eyes took them by surprise. The house was indeed on fire as the flames engulfed most of the lower level and the upper rooms where the nursery was located.

Some house-elves were trembling in fear and huddled amongst each other among the gardens. Robed men, wearing the Ministry's colors were blasting water from their wands and hoses. It was pure chaos.

Lily screamed.

"Harry! Oh my God James, Harry was in the nursery with the twins and our mothers." Sobbed Lily.

"They could've made it out Lily, I'm sure they did." Said James as he took her in his arms.

Sirius looked around and when he spied a large figure coming toward them, he tapped James by the shoulder.

James turned to look at him questioningly.

Sirius nodded toward the approaching man.

"Professor!" Exclaimed James.

Lily turned to look as Professor Dumbledore joined them, he was carrying something in his arms.

"Lotty and Minnie took him out when the Death Eaters entered the house." He said and passed the bundle of clothes to Lily.

Lily opened the bundle and a sleeping Harry met her sight.

"Oh, Harry, you are safe." She sobbed and kissed his cheeks.

"I put him under a sleeping spell." Dumbledore said as Harry continued to sleep under his mother's ministrations. "We were warned this afternoon that an attack was planned, but we got here too late. We only managed to scared them off."

"Our mothers, the twins, they were with Harry when we left." James said looking around.

Dumbledore shook his head sadly. "Haven't seen them, I fear they may not have made it out."

Lily fell to her knees and sobbed. James sat beside her and together they feared for their lost family.
¨¨¨¨ **** ¨¨¨¨

A/N: When I originally wrote this, it took me a while to have it done, it was a sad chapter for me to write, but I eventually finished it. That is all for now, please review, I like to hear from my readers. Now there were a couple of questions that some of you submitted and I'll try to answer some of them.

Giggle: I plan to continue until Harry's seventh year at Hogwarts. There are still four or five chapters (I really haven't decided yet) left of this part, so James and Lily are still alive for the time being.

Giggle, rosezgarden, bubblegum*girl, and many others, that I can't think of right now (sorry about that, I really have a bad memory when it comes to names): About Emma and Katie returning, all I can say is that you might see them again but not before Lily and James die, they will probably do so much later; now about Katie being pregnant, I'll just say what I told my readers at HP.com you are going to continue reading to find out ^_~ .