Chapter 4: The switching of the prophecy
The month of May had shown through with the most beautiful flowers. Julie had taken to spending most of her days tending the garden of the cottage Sirius had bought her. She had not forgiven herself for the death of her father. Sometimes Lily would come to the garden to convince her that it wasn't her fault. He had chosen to protect her.
She was now seven months pregnant. Her belly shown round. She has used a spell to determine that she was having a boy. While in the garden she took the time to smell each of her roses and speak with her son. She would tell him fantastical stories about his family. She would tell him happy stories of his grandfather. She would spend hours and hours regaling him with stories of the marauders, his uncle James, his dad, uncle Remus and Peter. She would tell him stories from over the world. She would tell him epics of dragons and heroes. She would entertain her unborn child with tales of mystical hippogriffs, and secrets of a magical place called Hogwarts. She would also tell him about Qudditch and the fun times she had playing chaser with her brother on the Gryffindor team.
Sometimes Sirius would come and sit on the garden bench with her. They always had the same conversation.
"How are you feeling?" Sirius asked.
"Depressed"
"Julie, Harry saved your life, but you act like you died that day."
"It's my fault he died. I killed him."
"He died at the hands of a death eater."
"If I had never gotten involved with..."
"Don't".
"I love you Sirius".
"Thanks", he kissed her. "I love you too".
Julie was sitting alone on her garden bench, singing a song to her son, when she heard a familiar voice behind her. She turned around and found herself facing her brother.
"James, what are you doing here?"
"I'm here to talk to your whiny ass"
"I'm fine".
"That's not what Sirius says".
"Sirius doesn't know what he is talking about".
"Well talk to me about it"
"About what?"
"Dad".
"There is nothing to talk about."
"Well I think there is". He sat down on the bench next to her. "You're getting big".
"Not long now".
"Boy?"
"Yes".
"Do you want him to see you like this?"
"Like what?"
"Distant. Moping. Depressed. Secretive. Living in denial."
"It's my fault James".
"No it isn't"
"Yes, it is. Severus grabbed me and I was… looking into his eyes. I realized that… I still…"
"He caught you off guard that's all."
"And dad paid the price. It's my fault".
"Get over yourself. Dad did it! He did it because he wanted to, because he lived his life. With mom gone… He did it. He didn't have to. Wouldn't you do the same for your son?"
At half past 11, Julie and Alice Longbottem apparated on the outskirts of Hogsmeade Village. They spent the day shopping at Alabaster's baby wear and supplies. With their pockets considerably lighter they decided to rest their feet and have something to drink at the Three Broomsticks. They found a table big enough to seat them and their enormous bellies and sat down.
They were happy to finally sit and complain about their swollen ankles. Alice began to laugh as she maneuvered to rub her feet. "It's strange isn't it? Having a baby in the middle of a war". Alice stared at Julie's right hand. "Julie, isn't that the ring that…"
"Alice please, not in public. Yes, okay. I still wear this ring, drop it".
"Sometimes I don't know about you. I guess you're lucky to have me as your friend".
"Come on Alice, I want some chocolate frogs, let's waddle toward the house."
The two pregnant women left the pub and waddled to Honeyduke's Sweetshop. Alice Stayed outside the shop while Julie ran in to get her frogs. She was standing near the display when she heard the voice of Severus Snape whisper sharply just feet behind her. "Yes of course I heard the prophecy right. The baby will be born at the end of July. He will have the power that the Dark Lord knows not. He will be born to parents who have thrice defied him".
Julie didn't dare turn around for fear that he would discover her standing there eavesdropping. She stayed rooted in her spot until she heard the door close and saw Severus running along through the window, with an excited looking Bellatrix Lestrange in tow. She replaced the chocolate frogs on the shelf and ran outside. She grabbed Alice by the arm and the two females left Hogsmeade with a pop.
Julie apparated into Godric's Hollow. She was in desperate need to find Lily. There was only one solution to the problem she could see. She hoped Lily was alone. It would be so much easier without James and Sirius around.
Julie ran to the door of the cottage and frantically knocked. Her thoughts were lost to everything but the prophecy she had heard. The end of July, the thrice defied, it all fit. She knew this was coming. She had known since she found the seed had been planted.
"Julie, James isn't here."
"I came to see you. It's better that he is not here".
"What is going on? You are scaring me".
"Lily the baby is in trouble. I need you to join with me in a maternal switching charm".
"I can't do that Julie. It would kill you".
"I know. My father died to protect me and now it is my turn to show the same bravery. There is no one I trust more to raise my baby like their own."
Julie dragged Lily into the empty guest bedroom and sat her down. "It has to be now".
"OK". Lily stood up and hugged Julie.
"I have lot's of gold, it's all his".
"You got it".
"I want him to be named Harry, after my father, who fought to keep him alive. James, after my brother who is my best friend and confidant".
"Yes".
"Harry James Potter."
"Harry James Potter". Lily repeated.
"I want Sirius to be his godfather".
"Of course".
"I want him to have your eyes".
"It's done".
"In sealing the bond you have made with me, Harry James Potter will have your bloodline as well as mine. And Severus. Will you keep your promises and raise him as your very own, never speaking of this?"
"I will"
In a flash of blinding white light, Julie felt the baby inside of her disappear. She fell to the ground. Cold. Dead.