As the Seventh Month Dies

They'd gone over this a million times, Lily drilling him ruthlessly on the exact position of every single item she would need, but when the time came, he still panicked. Blocking out his wife's pained expression, he raced around the small house, collecting, clothes, blankets, a comb…

"Let's go," he panted as he finally came back to her side and, picking up the Portkey the mediwizard had given them, he pressed it into her hand.

They disappeared in a whirl of color, landing on a bed in the maternity ward of St. Mungo's.

A healer rushed into the room as Lily screamed in pain, her face scrunching up as she pressed a hand to her stomach. "Messrs Black, Lupin and Pettigrew are in the waiting room," the healer told James. "Lie down, Mrs. Potter," he added kindly. "It'll all be over soon, and then you can get to the good parts."

Lily winced, nodding, and leaned back carefully on the bed, propped up against the pillows.

July 31, 1980 at 11:50 PM

"Push, Lily!" the healer shouted. "Harder than that, Lily – you're almost there…"

"I can't!" Lily panted as she squeezed James's white-knuckled hand. "There's something – oohhhh, that hurtsin the way..."

The mediwitch frowned and stepped forward, nudging the healer out of the way. "I don't see anything," she said quietly, kneeling to check. With a wave of her wand, she shook her head. "Nothing. Just keep pushing, Lily, dear."

"Can't," Lily gasped. "Hurts. So tired… they're stopping… ooowww…. me…."

"They?" the healer asked with concern. "Who are they, Lily?"

"They're stopping me," she breathed between cries of pain. "They want – they want…"

James went still and cold with fear as Lily continued to cry. Looking quickly at his wrist, he read the time. 11:52 P.M.

The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies

"Lily," he said urgently, squeezing her hand in his, "you have to fight them, do you understand? Harry has to be born now. Can you fight them for us?"

Nodidng frantically, Lily closed her eyes and screwed up her face as she began to push again. A blood-curdling scream flew out of her mouth as she fell back against the bed again.

"Can't," she whispered. "Tired. They're – they…"

"Come on now, Mrs. Potter, your young lad wants to see the world," the healer insisted with a gentle smile. "Once more, now…"

With a desperate cry, Lily pushed as hard as she possibly could.

A moment later, Harry James Potter began to scream, and James felt a rush of relief flood through him.

"Excellent!" the healer cried. "Well done, Mrs. Potter. Right then – Harry James Potter, time of birth 11:59 P.M. on July 31st, 1980…"

"Wait," James spoke up quickly, staring at the healer. "What? It's only 11:53."

"Your watch must be slow, Mr. Potter," the healer replied matter-of-factly. "Your young son was born at exactly one second to midnight. Didn't want to be an August baby, did you, lad?" he added, grinning broadly at Harry.

Grabbing Harry away from the mediwitch, who had been cleaning him, Lily buried her face in her baby's neck as James grasped the bedframe for support.

"Would you like me to send your friends in, Mr. Potter?" the healer asked, and James nodded.

"Yes," he replied, clearing his throat. "Please."

The healer smiled congenially again, clapping James on the shoulder. "Congratulations, son," he said kindly before turning and leading the mediwitch from the room.

The second the door shut behind them, Lily tightened her arms around Harry and began to weep. His throat tight, James pulled her – and their new baby – into his arms.

The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies…