Chapter 13- Halloween.
Halloween was fast approaching, and this was normally a day that Harry dreaded as it was the night that he basically lost everything. Now though he had to go through not playing quidditch because he was suspended from playing quidditch for the rest of the year. The only advantage to him being suspended from quidditch is that he was able to spend more time to Dumbledore's Army and continue to train the students at Hogwarts what they needed to know in the outside world. Harry was also struggling in potions as ever since his mom and dad had that conversation with Snape, he had been more harsh on Harry then usual. Harry really wondered what his mom and dad said to Snape that would make him go after Harry more then he did before.
Snape knew that he was taking out his anger about what had transpired after the quidditch match on Harry. He convinced himself that it was all James' fault that Lily now hated him. The reason that he took his anger out on Harry is because Harry was almost a carbon copy of James. He however also knew that going after Lily anymore was a lost cause he knew that he had to move on. Even though Snape still hated James he respected the suggestion that he try to move on and the fact that he actually had a chance at loving someone who could replicate his love. Snape knew that he had to move on or else he would live his life in regrets of the past.
James and Lily were both anxious about Halloween as they knew that was the night where they were killed so many years ago. Even though they had nothing to really worry about as barely anybody knew that they were alive, so they weren't a target like they were their last Halloween, but they were still anxious. James and Lily had asked Dumbledore if it was possible that Harry come home on the night of Halloween because if they were both being honest, they were sacred for Harry, and something might happen to him even though he was safe at Hogwarts they felt he would be safe that night at Potter Manor. Dumbledore knew the stress that James and Lily were under on that specific day and how much it would calm them to have Harry at home. Dumbledore had informed James and Lily that Harry would be allowed to stay at Potter Manor for Halloween.
It was the night of Halloween as James and Lily's anxieties were slightly lessened due to the fact that Harry was going to be able to spend Halloween with them. This however didn't stop them from casting every safety charm around the house that was possible even though no one was coming after them. They had also invited Sirius and Remus to come over tonight. They agreed but they would be coming a little later as they wanted to give Harry a bit of alone time with his parents on this night but, still wanted to be there for James, Lily, and Harry. It was also an exciting night because James and Lily had finally decided that it would be tonight that they would be telling Harry that he was going to be getting a little sibling. They probably would've told him over Christmas but, they wanted tonight to be perfect so they decided that tonight was the night that they would tell him.
Harry was surprised when McGonagall told him that he was able to go home for Halloween. Normally this wouldn't be allowed unless a relative was really sick. Harry was excited though because he wouldn't admit this to anyone but, tonight was the night where he had always been really afraid of because what had happened all those years ago. His nerves were even more on the edge now because his parents were back, and they had died on this night protecting him. He was really excited about being able to spend it with his parents even though he really has nothing to worry about as very few people knew that they were alive again. Most of all Voldemort didn't know they were alive and that was the biggest threat to them. No doubt that some people would notice that Harry was going to be gone on Halloween but, McGonagall and Dumbledore would keep the teachers in line and Ron and Hermione would deal with the students about where Harry was.
James and Lily had made Harry's favourite food tonight and they had everything that would be at the Hogwarts feast and also some of Lily's favourite muggle candy. Now that they had everything set all they were waiting for was Harry to come over the floo. It was around seven-o-clock when Harry finally arrived through the floo.
"Hello mom dad?" Harry said as he stepped out of the floo.
"Harry." James and Lily said as they greeted him and led him to the dinning room so they could start the feast.
Harry was amazed by the feast that his parents had put together it had all of Harry's favourites, and it was truly a feast worthy of Hogwarts. Harry really didn't know what to make of this he never had anyone make him something like this if he was lucky one of his friends would bake him a cake for his birthday, but his parents made an entire feast for him. Harry already thought that this would be the turning point for Halloween and he felt like he couldn't be any happier.
"So, Harry how are classes going now?" Lily asked as they settled down.
"Well, their alright although potions has gotten worse." Harry responded.
"Who's the professor?" James asked.
"Snape." Harry answered.
James and Lily gave each other a knowing look knowing that they were the reason that it got worse.
"Before I thought it was because he hated Gryffindor's and hated teaching potions." Harry continued.
"Why does he hate teaching potions he was pretty good at in school." Lily snorted.
"Well, he really wanted to be the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." Harry responded.
James almost choked on his food when Harry told him that.
"Snape wants to teach Defense?" James asked.
"Yes, why is that so shocking?" Harry asked.
"Well, Harry when we were in school, he really liked the Dark Arts." Lily responded.
"So, it's kind of shocking to us that he wants to teach how to defend against it." James finished.
"Well, whatever you said to him at the quidditch match he seems to be much harder on me now for whatever reason." Harry said.
"Well, that's kind of my fault." James said. "We were rivals in high school, and I guess he hasn't grown up."
"That can't be it though." Harry said. "He was always hard on me but after you guys talked at after the quidditch game he was even harder on me."
"Well, I kind of socked him after your quidditch match." Lily said kind of ashamed.
"But to be fair to Lily he kind of deserved it he was the one who set Voldemort after us." James quickly jumped in.
Lily wasn't necessarily embarrassed about her outburst but, more that her outburst caused Harry some trouble in his life.
"It's ok mom Snape also deserved it for making potions my least favourite class for the past five years." Harry said.
This made Lily feel a little bit better and by the time they had finished the conversation was finished they were all full, so James asked the house elves to clean up the table and set up dessert as they went into the sitting room.
"Harry, we have some very exciting news to tell you." James said.
"What is it?" Harry asked.
"Harry we're having another baby." Lily said excitedly.
Harry took a moment to comprehend what his mom and dad had just told them. James and Lily were worried that Harry wasn't ready for the news when he didn't respond.
"You guys are having another baby?" Harry asked,
"Yes, we're having another baby." James confirmed.
"I could not be more happy!" Harry responded. As he gave his parents a hug and congratulated them. "So do you know what gender it's going to be?"
"No not yet but we had a cake made tonight to find out the gender," Lily said.
"And we want you to cut the cake to find out the gender." James added.
"Why do you want me to cut the cake?" Harry asked. "Shouldn't it be one of you two?"
"Well, Harry, we want you to cut the cake because we were hoping that you would be the child's godfather." Lily said.
Harry sat there stunned he couldn't believe that his parents wanted him to be the godfather to his new sibling. "You can't be serious you want me to be the godfather." Harry said.
"Harry, we want you to be the godfather." James said.
"What about Remus or Sirius?" Harry asked still not believing it.
"Sirius is your godfather and Remus would never let us name him the godfather because of what he is." Lily responded.
"Look Harry if you don't want to be the godfather it's ok there's no pressure on you if you say no." James added.
Harry thought about this for a moment before coming to a decision. "I would love to be the godfather." Harry said.
It was at this point that Remus and Sirius appeared through the floo.
"Remus, Sirius you guys are just in time for dessert." James said as he led them to the dinning room.
"Well, I'm never going to say no to dessert." Sirius said as he followed James to the dinning room.
They all settled down as the cake was brought out by James and Lily.
"What's the cake for?" Remus asked.
"You'll see once Harry cuts the cake." James responded.
James and Lily were standing behind Harry with confetti cannons also the colour of the baby's gender as James was a marauder, so they never did anything with half gusto. Harry cut a slice of the cake.
"It's a …" Harry said as he put the piece of cake on the plate. "Girl!" as the confetti cannons that James and Lily had shot pink confetti into the air and now was making its way down.
"Lils we're having a girl." James shouted in excitement as he hugged his wife.
"You guys are having a baby and you didn't tell us?" Sirius asked.
"Well to be fair we also just told Harry today." Lily responded and Sirius kind of pouting.
"Oh, grow up Sirius." Remus said. "Congratulations you two." As he hugged them both.
"Yes, congratulations. Who's the Godfather going to be?" Sirius asked.
"Well, we choose Harry to be the godfather." James responded.
Remus and Sirius were shocked by this announcement but, the more they thought about it the more on board with the decision that Harry should be the godfather. Sure, he was young but, they both agreed that he was mature beyond his years and would make a great parent when he was ready to. By the time they had finished the cake it was about bedtime for them all. Harry's room wasn't ready quite yet, so everyone piled into the master bedroom that night. As they all fell asleep there were no more nightmares of this night fourteen years ago.
