Part 3: In Time
The present day-
Lily had wanted a small funeral for her mother. However, Walburga and Cygnus Black had arranged for a massive one, guests spanning the echelons of the pureblood elite. Lily stood to the side of her mother's coffin, ignoring the crowd that was pouring into Godric Hollow's cemetery. In her heyday, Mary Everett had been a celebrated photographer in the wizarding world. But for the past six years, none of these people had seen much of her beyond Petunia's wedding.
Lily could hear Druella and Walburga preceding over the crowd, telling people where to sit. She wasn't in the mood for both this group and the teeming reporters over the gates, here to capture a glimpse of her uncle days before the Minister of Magic election.
"Lily we're getting started!"
She turned from her mother's open coffin to see Petunia.
"Pet what are you doing here?" Lily demanded. Her sister was pregnant again, in quick succession to her last one. From the look of her, she was only a month or so ahead of Lily. "Shouldn't you be on bed rest?"
Petunia rolled her eyes.
"You can only bury your mother once," she replied. Lily winced at Petunia's dark statement and watched as her sister took a sip from a flask at her side.
"Should you be drinking?"
"It's a vitamin serum Rabastian's got me drinking," Petunia answered with a sour expression. Petunia had been more and more unpleasant during pregnancy with each passing miscarriage, and Lily couldn't hold her against it. She wondered if she should tell Petunia the news of her pregnancy, deciding against it given Petunia's dour expression.
"She wasn't really living."
"She was content."
Petunia scoffed.
"Mum was deranged Lily— she thought dad was just a room over and lived in the past most days."
Lily swallowed, feeling a sense of empathy for her mother. In the passing days between Marie's passing and the funeral, Lily had spent hours dreaming of the past, wondering what she should do. She stood by the coffin while Petunia sat next to her, unable to stand extensively as her uncle preceded over it as head of the household.
Lily's lip curled down as he ended on a political note of wanting to secure the proper peace owed to his sister's daughters. People rose to approach the coffin and give their condolences. Lily was surprised by the number that stopped at her in addition to her uncle, as it was unusual at pureblood funeral to give condolences beyond the patriarch of the family.
"It's because they want you to marry into their families," Petunia said, noticing Lily's confusion as elderly Megara Flint kissed her cheek. At Lily's incredulously face Petunia shrugged. "What? You're not a spinster yet and finally stopped working as an auror. Besides we're both about to inherit all of dad's money."
As the stream of guests began to thin out, Lily could see James and his mother approaching. Euphemia Potter had James's trademark black hair and looked older than most parents of their generation, but stood firmly with a characteristic twinkle in her eyes.
She was the grandmother of the child Lily was carrying.
Lily felt sick.
"We are so sorry my dears," Euphemia said, taking both Petunia and Lily's hands and squeezing them. "Marie was a dear friend."
Lily smiled at her as she continued to speak about inviting both for the holidays. But she could feel James's pressing stare. As Euphemia went on, James stopped in front of her before pulling her in for a tight embrace.
She stiffened immediately at the public display of affection and knew that people must have been staring. James did not let go and Lily felt a bitterness spread through her.
"I'm so sorry Lily."
"Let go of me," she hissed. "You're making a scene."
He did, a brazen expression on his face. Lily threw him a dirty look as he continued on and turned to Petunia.
"That was wildly inappropriate," she grumbled.
"Potter's probably noticed all the attention at you," Petunia returned. Finally, the guests streamed out and Lily was left to face her mother one last time.
"We're always with you," she murmured, leaning down to kiss her mother's cold brow. "Always."
Soon the coffin was slid into the Black family mausoleum, an exception for most pureblood daughters granted to her mother on account of her father's family not having a plot here.
Her father had been burned, a tradition from his line, with the ashes spread in the sea near their house. Lily lingered, looking at her mother's grave with Petunia.
"I'm due in June."
Lily was silent.
"This one is going to make it," Petunia said, hand on her stomach. "I know it."
Lily felt the words on her tongue but couldn't bring herself to tell Petunia about her own pregnancy. The sisters walked from the cemetery, Rabastian waited for them with a port key to Somerset House where the wake would be held.
"Can I come along?" Lily asked. "I don't feel up for apparating."
Petunia shrugged and Lily sighed with relief, joining her sister and Rabastian. They arrived in a bustling wake, her uncle preceding over it. As an hour of hobnobbing with the elite went by, Lily found herself wanting to desperately leave.
She'd hidden away with Abilene, the pair watched Oliver toddle around the spread of food selections.
"He's gotten so big," Lily noted with a smile.
"Too big," Abilene sighed. "I can hardly manage him and St. Mungos."
Abilene had just finished training at Mungos, having started the first year of her healing residency.
"He'll be at Hogwarts in no time."
Abilene's face fell a bit as she turned to Lily.
"I've spoken with my parents," she said in a hushed voice, Lily leaning in to listen as her uncle's booming voice spread over the ballroom. "I'm thinking of returning to Paris."
"Why?" Lily asked, shock on her face. "England's your home— and Oliver's too."
"The war is getting worse" Abilene answered. "Tides are changing… The French Ministry has quietly called for all its citizens here to return. My father's being pulled from his position."
Lily nodded, a dry feeling in her mouth. If her uncle won the election then Voldemort would have a foothold in the Ministry, access to all legislation and leadership. As she mused this over, Lily wasn't paying attention to Oliver.
"Mine!"
Abilene rose to help her son, who'd been trying to reach for a slice of cake on the high table, only for Oliver to help himself. In a display of untamed magic, the food on the table exploded out, covering nearby guests in bits of tapas and pastries. But Lily and Abilene, who had been closest, were thrown to the ground from the impact of the raw magic. As Lily slammed stomach first into the hardwood floor, a bolt of panic flew through her.
She could hear shouting and loud voices as her ears rung. Pain lanced through her and Lily felt arms helping her up.
"Are you hurt?"
Her hand flew to her stomach and Lily swayed, seeing her brother-in-law's worried eyes in front of her own. He was holding a light to hers.
"Let's get her to another room."
Lily stumbled as Rabastian balanced her. She could hear Abilene's profuse apologies and feel the gazes of people around them. Rabastian led her to another room, and Lily waited until the door was shut to speak.
"I'm pregnant," she gasped, Rabastian's eyes going wide. "I need to go to Mungos."
"How far along?" Rabastian demanded. Lily's eyes fluttered shut as she gasped for air.
"Nine weeks."
Rabastian cursed, eyebrows knitting together.
"I'm going to examine you here," he said, moving to her. "The father… does he know?"
Lily remained silent and Rabastian's gaze narrowed.
"Lily," he said in a tense tone. "There are laws— if you're carrying a pureblood child then we're both liable if we don't inform the father. I'm not going to lose my healing lisc-"
"No," Lily said, shaking her head. "It's too early. Rasbastian he can't know."
His gaze remained stern as Rabastian began to exam her, checking her vision and swiping his wand over her for a scan. Lily remained anxious through the examination, unable to calm down.
"You're an unmarried woman," he said, using a complex ultrasound spell. "Lily this is not going to bode well with the family."
"Odds are I lose it," Lily answered. "No one needs to know."
"You shouldn't be teaching," Rabastian continued. "You've seen that Narcissa and Petunia have nearly died before. You need to be resting."
Lily shook her head, Rabastian sighing.
"You're okay," he said. "Everything's checked out normally."
Before Lily could answer, the door slammed open, revealing the frazzled figure of James. He strode in, concern evident in his eyes. He stopped before her, hand coming to her face.
"What happened?" he demanded. "I left for five minutes and return to hear that Wood's kid sent you flying five feet!"
"I'm fine," Lily answered, moving to stand. "Rabastian's just checked me."
"You could have a concussion," James snapped. "Or internal bleeding— come on I'm taking you to Mungos."
"I'm fine," Lily insisted. "Tell him Rabastian."
She turned to him but froze at the expression he bore. Rabastian's eyes were filled with shock as he looked down at Lily's stomach and then to James.
"No," he declared. "Lily is not fine."
"Rabastian," she begged, pulling out of James's grip. "Don't do this."
He shook his head.
"There are laws Lily besides that, James here deserves to know."
"Know what?" James asked with narrowed eyes. Lily swallowed, Rabastian's eyes demanding her own.
"You can tell him," Rabastian said. "Or I will."
Lily nodded miserably.
"Can you give us some privacy?" she asked in a defeated tone. Her brother-in-law nodded, leaving the room.
"What in Merlin's name is going on?" James demanded. Lily met his gaze, taking a few steps back.
"I'm pregnant," Lily revealed, eyes on his face. His eyes widened, jaw-dropping open before a huge smile spread over his face. James began to move closer and Lily stumbled back.
"This is bloody amazing," he declared. "And explains why you've been eating honeydukes by the box-load. I mean it's not ideal considering we're not married yet, but I'm sure we can fix-"
"I don't want to get married," Lily exclaimed, James freezing. Seeing his expression, she sighed. "I'm only nine weeks along. Odds are that it doesn't last."
"Don't speak that way," James responded. "Lily we're going to have a baby."
Lily's eyes shut as she shook her head, arms coming around her frame. She was holding back a sob, recalling the last time this had happened.
"Petunia, Narcissa, and Bellatrix have all miscarried for years," she explained. "It's not going to stick James."
"You don't know that," he insisted. "Lily you could be different. You've only been pregnant once be-"
"Don't you dare," she snapped. "Don't you dare bring that up."
He was silent, moving to her and bringing his arms around her as a sob finally broke through Lily's lips.
"We're going to be okay," James murmured, stroking her hair. "This is a miracle Lily-my-LIly. A second chance for us."
"I don't want a second chance with you. You're a murderer."
She looked up to meet James' gaze, flinching at the harshness in them.
"You didn't plan on telling me did you?" James asked in a cold voice. When Lily shook her head, he nodded with a pained smile. "There are laws Lily. You're carrying my heir."
"Those laws are archaic," Lily sputtered. "Made to propagate the continuity of purebloods lines."
"They're necessary and I will hold you to them."
"You wouldn't," Lily protested, trying to pull herself from James's arms. But his grip remained tight. "James we broke up."
"My mistake was letting you leave three years ago," he said darkly. "But Lily I am not that naive boy anymore who thought you'd come back. You left me. I don't plan on letting you leave again."
"Let go of me," she protested, squirming against him.
"You're not leaving this room without my ring on your hand," he answered. "We'll announce the engagement and get married before the Holidays are over. You'll be on bed rest in Potter Manor until the baby arrives."
"You're insane," she sputtered. "I have a job— what about the school. Not to mention that there's no way I'm marrying you."
"The school won't be open," James snapped, face turning to regret.
"What did you say?" Lily demanded. Before James could answer, the door opened, revealing her sister's figure. Petunia stopped at the sight of them, James holding Lily at his side.
"Lily's accepted my proposal," James declared, squeezing her side. "We're going to be married by the end of the Holidays."
"We're not," Lily snarled. "Petunia don't listen to him."
"She's carrying my heir," James continued as Petunia's face filled with shock.
"I'm carrying our baby," Lily protested. "Not some object you can use to force me into marrying you. Pet, please you have to stop this."
"You're lucky James wants to marry you," Petunia said carefully. "Otherwise you'd be bringing the worst shame to our whole family. James is right; we'll settle this quietly and make an announcement."
"No," Lily tried to argue but she was too late. From the look James shared with her sister she knew that they didn't plan on letting her out of their sight, let alone away from them, anytime soon. She'd effectively found herself in a gilded prison.
The next day, Lily was woken from a deep sleep. She turned against the hand stroking her face with a groan.
"Lily you need to wake up," James said. "A maternity healer's coming here to run another exam on you."
She could feel James tugging at the duvet and squirmed back. After James had threatened every one of her friends, going rigid in the face as he went on, Lily had finally relented, agreeing to leave the room. The guests had all left, leaving just the immediate Black family and James's mother, all of whom responded happily to the news of the engagement.
Lily had finally had enough when Sirius and James had a celebratory drink to toast him joining the family. She'd gone up to her old bed chambers, stripping and sliding into bed.
"Come on Lily-my-Lily," he teased, bringing his hands over the blanket. "Are you naked?"
She huffed, turning over her shoulder to give James a dirty look.
"Go away."
"What's gotten in you?" he asked with amusement. "You're usually such a morning bird."
"You try being pregnant with the biggest prat on earth's child," she snapped. "It's exhausting."
She sat up, blinking against the morning light as James chuckled, holding out a glass of water and a potion.
"Vitamins," he explained. "Petunia said they've helped her before."
"I didn't know you and my sister were so close," Lily replied, taking both from him. She drank the potion, cringing at the bitter taste as James brought one hand to push locks of hair from her face.
"We have a shared goal now; seeing you healthily through this pregnancy."
Lily wrenched herself from the bed, ignoring James's extended hand of help. She was only in her underwear and padded towards the attached bathroom. James stood in the doorway as she brushed her teeth and turned to use the loo.
"Let me help you in the shower."
Lily threw him an incredulously look before slamming the door in his face. She came out, towel around her figure to see James poking around her desk. Lily changed into robes left behind here when she moved out of Somerset House in the Everett beach house. After seeing the maternity healer, who'd given Lily the same advice she'd heard Petunia and Narcissa get of constant rest and minimal strain, she found herself being escorted by James to the will reading.
"You can bugger off," Lily, glaring at him as they flooed into the beach house. "Pet will be there you don't need to worry about me running off."
"I'm coming for support," he answered. "Mum's chosen Friday for the wedding. We'll have a small ceremony at Potter Manor. Do you want her to invite McKinnon or the Longbottoms?"
"Why?" Lily scoffed. "This is a sham. I could lose the baby before then and then there will be no wedding."
"Don't say that. This marriage is long overdue."
She ignored him, moving to her dad's old study where the preceptor of the will, her uncle Orion, stood with Rabastian, Petunia, and Walburga.
"Let's get started," he said, opening up a large file. Lily sat with her sister, Petunia reaching over to squeeze her hand. Lily was startled by the familiarity but returned the gesture.
After Orion listed their mother's assets, consisting of a family vault at Gringotts, the beach house, and the remaining royalties from her photography career, he listed over the even division of all the assets. The will had not changed once in seven years, her mother deemed unable to amend it.
After the reading was over, her aunt and uncle left, leaving the two sisters, Rabastian and James.
"Rabastian and I want the beach house," Petunia suddenly said.
"Why?" Lily demanded. "You've lived at Lestrange Manor for the past four years. Besides you never come here."
Petunia's face flashed unpleasantly as she coughed.
"The Manor is for Bellatrix and Rodolphus," Petunia explained. "Given that there are enough Lestrange descendants in this country that all of the other family estates have been claimed through wills, we wanted our own."
Lily looked at her sister, feeling Rabastian's gaze as well.
"Do you have anything to say?"
"Petunia wants to raise her children where she grew up," he replied. Lily nodded bitterly, knowing that Petunia deserved the house, after all, she'd suffered.
"Fine," she sighed. "I'll need to move all my belongings out."
"I'll have an elf come to do that," James said, squeezing her arm.
"Why are you still here?" Lily asked, rising to leave. "Shouldn't you be off torturing people for Voldemort."
All of their faces flashed at Lily saying the Dark Lord's name and she rolled her eyes. Rabastian and Petunia turned, leaving the two in her father's study.
"You need to stop being so bloody irresponsible," James said. "There's a new world order coming and I can only do so much to protect you."
Lily ignored him, moving to run her hand along the spines of her father's books. She gave them a wistful look, knowing that they'd soon be boxed up and forgotten.
"I'm going for a walk," she suddenly said, slipping past James. "Don't follow me."
She made her way to the backyard, fumbling the back shed open. Finding her broom from school, Lily gripped it tightly in her hands. She could leave now, it was probably her only chance to, given that the wedding was only days away and James seemed reluctant to let her out of his sight.
Lily walked from the shed, preparing to get on the broom, only for it to fly from her grip.
"You're pregnant and trying to fly?"
"There's hardly any wind," Lily answered. James's jaw locked as he shook his head.
"Are you that desperate to not marry me?"
"I'd rather raise this child on my own that have a death eater be its father," she spat.
"Well it's too bad that's not your choice," James sneered, grabbing her wrist. "We're going now."
"Let go of me."
James dropped her wrist, throwing her a vexed look as he jutted his head towards the house.
"I need to drop you off at Somerset House," he explained. "The election's tomorrow and I promised I'd give a speech for your uncle as Sleekeazy's is advocating for him."
"This is my home," Lily protested. "I can be left in my own house for a few hours."
James looked like he wanted to protest but finally settled on nodding.
"I'm sending an elf to keep on eye on you," he warned, moving to kiss her brow. "I'll give it clothing if you try anything."
Lily frowned at him but he was heading towards the beach to apparate out. After he left, Lily rolled her eyes, knowing that Euphemia would never let James dismiss an elf for something trivial. She managed to slip past the elf, flooing into one of the few fireplaces she'd insisted on connecting to her mother's flew network.
Standing in Marlene's apartment, Lily marveled at the years that had gone by since she'd last been here. After Mary died, she moved in briefly with Marlene, leaving to her mother's home after a row.
Lily heard the door open, smiling as she caught sight of Marlene's trademark blonde locks. Her friend jumped at the sight of her, clutching her chest.
"Lily," she gasped. "You scared me."
"Lena,' Lily began. "I need your help."
After explaining her whole story to Marlene, Lily watched as Marlene ran her nails over her teeth with a frown.
"You know the laws."
Lily knew the damned laws. They were made a hundred years ago, the last time a Malfoy was Minister of Magic. The laws which Marlene referred to ultimately made any woman carrying a pureblood's offspring into a commodity. Back then it had been used to prevent blood wars between houses. Today it was hardly used, deemed archaic.
"James will hold me to them," she said bitterly. "I had to stun the elf to get out."
Marlene nodded, face filling with a realization.
"We need to see Dumbledore," Marlene declared, rising. "I have an idea."
Lily found herself in Hogsmeade, tromping up to the castle with her friend.
"Visitors aren't allowed at the castle," Lily said with a frown as Marlene led her towards the shrieking shack.
"We're not going to the castle."
Marlene levitated a large stone, prodding it at the base before the branches snapped in motion. Lily followed her into a dark hole, emerging within the shredded, gnarled house. Sitting on a clawed chair was Albus Dumbledore.
"I got your note right before supper," he said with a twinkle in his eyes before looking at Lily. "I was sorry to hear about your mother. She had a noteworthy kindness when she was my student and beyond."
Lily nodded and Marlene coughed.
"Professor Dumbledore," she said. "I think it's time we tell Lily."
Lily frowned at them and Dumbledore's brows raised.
"After three years?"
"No one suspects her involvement," Marlene explained eagerly.
"She was an auror."
"Lily's pregnant," Marlene blurted.
"Lena!" Lily exclaimed, throwing her friend a dirty look.
"With James Potter's child. He's forcing the old laws— a marriage by Friday," Marlene continued.
Lily flushed, turning to berate her friend only for Dumbledore to raise his hand.
"Is this true?" he asked grimly. Lily sputtered for a moment, shocked that her old headmaster would have any interest in her pregnancy.
"Yes," she said in a squeak. "Although I don't see how this matters."
"It matters because you're about to marry one of Voldemort's leading generals," Marlene replied darkly. Lily's expression collapsed at this and Dumbledore nodded.
"I'm afraid Marlene is correct," he said. "Tomorrow Cygnus Black is going to win the Ministry. The world as we know it will not be the same."
"My uncle can't win," Lily protested.
"He will," Dumbledore said carefully. "And be Voldemort's puppet."
Lily tried to digest this information but Dumbledore wasn't done.
"I'm about to ask you for a request you cannot take likely," he said, meeting her gaze. "Once your uncle is in power it is only a matter of time before he comes here."
"To Hogwarts?" Lily demanded. "Why would Voldemort care for the school?"
Dumbledore smiled sadly at her.
"Take the children and the parents follow," he replied.
"You'll stop him," she answered.
"That cannot be guaranteed," Dumbledore matched gravely. "Voldemort, or Tom as I once knew him, and I will duel soon. That day nears. I have no way of knowing who will win; he or I."
Lily was silent as Dumbledore rose.
"In the case that I do not win that duel, Voldemort will take all of England. We'll need people like you."
"Me?" Lily said in shock. "I'm pregnant Professor I'm afraid I won't be of much use on battlefields these days."
"There's going to be more important matters than simply battles in the coming times," Dumbledore explained. "We need people on the inside who can listen to their leaders."
"You want me to spy on James," Lily realized.
"Yes Lily," Marlene said. "Rumor is Voldemort's giving him the entire auror division"
"James is a ex-Quidditch player he's hardly qualified for that," Lily scoffed.
"He's killed more muggles than any other death eater," Dumbledore clarified, seeing Lily flinch. "James Potter is not the man I thought he would be."
"There's something else Lily," Marlene continued. "We need to tell you about the Order of the Phoenix."
As Dumbledore explained a story about her and James, both previously being in this rogue resistance group he'd started, Lily couldn't believe it.
"Why would I remove my memories of the Order?" she demanded.
"You thought James would find a way to force you into marriage then," Marlene explained, leaning against a rotting wall. "He's mastered Legilmens— your cousin taught him."
Lily shook her head, even when Dumbledore handed her a letter, one in faded parchment that matched her handwriting.
"This is crazy," she said, looking behind to the hole Marlene had led her through. "Nothing's changed! I'm still marrying James what's different now?"
"We're more desperate," Marlene replied with a serious expression.
"I'm pregnant," Lily said, shaking her head. "I can't spy on him. If what you say is true then he'll know immediately."
"We've got a master of Occlumency— Severus Snape, he defected from the death eaters. He's brilliant Lily, come to think of it you two would have made great friends if he'd gone to Hogwarts instead of Drumstrang."
"I need to go," Lily answered, feeling frustrated. "Thank you for bringing me here and speaking with me Headmaster. But this path, it's not for me."
"I understand completely but the offer is always there."
That night, Lily endured a long, berating lecture from James on her leaving. But she'd taken it in stride, stomping off as he tried to place a tracking charm on her. He left her at Somerset house, where Lily curled into her childhood bed, falling into a restless sleep. She was woken too early the next day, feeling unbelievably tired as Euphemia Potter held a tailoring session for her at Potter Manor for the wedding
"I was the same way," Euphemia laughed, watching Lily yawn for the fifth time. "Spent all day sleeping when I was pregnant with James."
"He told you?" Lily asked, holding the fabric to her chest as two elves moved around her. Euphemia's eyes twinkled at her.
"He asked for his training broom," she explained. "I knew then— no one insists on such an immediate wedding without a child on the way."
Lily flushed under Euphemia's knowing gaze. After hours of being prodded at, Euphemia insisted on showing her the gardens where they'd be married in two days. By the time Lily returned to Somerset House, the entire election campaign was present, hectically moving around.
"Lily you need to change!" her aunt ordered. "Poll results will start coming in."
Tromping up to her room, Lily collapsed into her bed, waking to the feeling of someone stroking her hair. Her eyes fluttered open and she blinked at the darkness. She groggily turned, relaxing at the sight of dim moonlight hitting James's face.
"I'm sleeping," she grumbled, as his hands came to her hips.
"I can see that," James replied in amusement. "I was sent up an hour ago to wake you. You've been sleeping all night. Missed the election results your uncle won."
Lily swallowed, suddenly feeling very awake. She sat up, feeling discomfort from having fallen asleep in her jeans.
"That was expected," she replied, rising to wriggle out of them. She threw them to the ground, bringing her jumper over her head as well before climbing back onto the bed.
"It's brilliant," he replied, helping her into the covers. "The things he has planned."
"Like what?" Lily asked warily.
"Nothing for you to worry about now," James replied. "Just know that our child won't have to worry about the bloodshed we grew up with."
Lily turned over, ignoring that James had been the source of so much bloodshed in her life. She stiffened as he rose, removing his robes.
"What are you doing?"
"They're distracted celebrating," he answered, standing in his boxers next to her bed. "They won't notice me not coming down."
"We're not married yet."
"That didn't stop you before," James replied, sliding in next to her. Lily relaxed against him, James's arm coming around her to rest his hand on her abdomen. He kissed her shoulder, bringing his lips across it. "Two days and this will be forever."
"I don't want this," she replied. "You know that."
He was silent, but James moved closer to her.
"My uncle shouldn't have won," she continued. "He's a cruel man."
"He's going to usher in a new world for us," James replied. "And I plan to help him."
She felt sick.
She couldn't stand by to this.
She had to help the Order.
James's hand was warm against her stomach as he continued to pepper kisses along her skin.
"I want to make a deal," she said, turning to face him. James was frowning as she brought her hands to his chest.
"About what?"
"This," she answered. "You know I'll fight it. You'll have to imperius me to get me down that altar."
James's grip tightened on her skin as Lily brought a hand to his face.
"But I could be good," she continued. "I'd behave and willingly marry you on one condition."
"What?"
"Let me keep teaching at Hogwarts," she breathed. "At least until they can find a replacement for me."
"No."
"Why?" Lily demanded.
"You're supposed to be on bed rest," James replied evenly. "Not patrolling the halls or teaching idiots how to use defensive spells. If one hits you—"
"James please," she interrupted. "I agreed to teach for a year."
"The school will be fine," he snapped. "You need to spend the next seven months being cautious."
"I'll take it easy," she promised. "I'll inform Dumbledore immediately and whenever he finds a suitable replacement I'll return and do whatever you want."
He was silent and she leaned forward, pressing her lips softly against his.
"Give me this," she said. "And I'll be perfect on Friday."
She moved closer to him, hooking her arms around James's neck to press herself against him. A low rumbling sound escaped his throat as she kissed him again, his hands coming to her body.
"This is all I want."
"Lily," he warned. But she forced him over, flipping then so she was straddling him. James stared up at her as Lily brought his hands to her hips and began to tug at his underwear. She could feel him hardening, hands roaming up to her chest.
"I need my wand," he muttered.
"Why?" Lily scoffed. "No need for a contraceptive charm."
James threw her a lazy smile, before jutting his head towards the door.
"You're rather loud Lily-my-Lily."
She finally wrenched his boxers down, quickly pulling her underwear off before lowering herself towards him. James cursed as Lily ran herself along his length.
"Let me go back to Hogwarts," she said, James starring at her like she was mad. "Please."
"No patrols," he choked, hands gripping her hips. "No standing for more than an hour. And I'm returning with you."
Before she could answer, James lifted her, bringing her down to engulf him whole. She cried out, walls clenching around him as James moved her up and down again, pumping her against him.
"James," she gasped, tugging him to sit up. As they changed angles, Lily hooked her legs around his waist, grinding against him as James kissed her. Soft moans escaped her mouth as Lily rocked over James.
She felt her orgasm building, scraping her fingers down James's back as the sensation overwhelmed her.
"Yes," she said, over and over as James's hips moved around hers.
"Say you love me," he ordered, grabbing her hips and stopping her. The fog around her disappeared as Lily hazily blinked at him. "Say you love me."
She tried to move but James's grip tightened to a painful degree.
"You're hurting me," Lily gasped. His grip loosened but before she could continue, he pulled out, flipping her.
"Say it."
"You're being ridiculous," she managed, attempting to bring her hips up to his. He held her down, hovering at her entrance.
"Lily," James murmured. "You're my entire world."
Her eyes fluttered shut as he kissed his way down her body, stopping at her waist.
"You and this," he continued. "Our child."
Lily huffed as he kissed her stomach, rubbing the skin there.
"We were in the middle of something," she said, a whining tone to her voice. James smiled against her hipbone, nipping the skin there.
"Say you love me," he ordered again.
"Why?" she asked, James forcing her legs open to kiss his way to her core.
"Indulge me," he drawled before parting her lips and licking her length. Lily's leg began to shake as she let out an embarrassingly deep moan. James's laugh vibrated against her, sending Lily's hips arching up.
"James please," she begged. He smiled against her, tongue twisting over her clit before bringing his face up. His lips were wet and he licked them before moving lithely up her body to hold her face. Lily whimpered, feeling his length at her entrance again, James trailing the head over it.
"Please," she asked again, feeling her body begin to shake. She could feel his eyes on hers and squirmed under him.
"I love you," James said firmly, before plunging into her. Lily cried out as he pulled out almost completely before pumping himself back in. He continued at that unforgiving pace, saying it over and over before Lily finally came around him.
She felt the afterglow ripple through her but James was not done. He pulled her up, turning her and bringing Lily to her hands and knees abruptly. She nearly fell over as he forced her back into an arch, plunging back into her from behind.
A cry of pleasure ripped through her while James continued to pound into her. She could hear herself saying something but he was silent, gripping her hips tightly. Lily came again, feeling James release himself right after her. He leg go of her, Lily immediately collapsing into the bed.
She turned over to thank him, only to see that James was rising off the bed with a cold expression.
"Where are you going?" she asked, voice hoarse from her final scream. "James?"
He didn't look at her, harshly pulling his pants on. Lily moved to him, bringing her hand to his face only for James to violently flinch back.
"Don't."
"What's wrong?" she asked, pulling the sheet to her chest. His jaw ticked as he finally looked at her.
"You couldn't even lie," he said with a dark laugh.
"What are you talking about?" she demanded, coming up to her knees in front of him. He swallowed, running his hands through his hair.
"Nothing," he answered. Lily frowned at James as he continued to dress. The realization filled her and she scoffed.
"You're throwing a tantrum because I won't say I love you," she demanded. He was silent and she fell back into a kneeling position on the messed up duvet of the bed. "James you're being ridiculous."
"I need to go," he answered. "Before someone finds me here."
"I'm already pregnant," Lily scoffed. He smiled at her, leaning down to kiss her brow.
"Traditions Lily-my-Lily," he drawled, before taking something from his pocket and placing it in front of her. "Speaking of which, you ought to wear this down."
She looked down and felt discomfort spread through her at the sight of the small ring box. She knew inside was the ring she'd worn three years ago.
On the evening of her wedding, Lily had decided to hate Potter Manor. Euphemia had restored the ancient Manor, built in the woods of Godric's Hallow to resemble an ancient temple. It was pristine, filled with contrasting relics of long-gone Potters.
Christmas Eve was approaching and Lily's heart filled with dread as she realized it would be her first holiday season without either of her parents. By next Christmas, she could be a parent. The realization made Lily's head spin as Euphemia and her aunts Walburga and Druella surveyed the two cosmetic witches at work.
The wedding would be small: with just immediate friends and family. Marlene had arrived to serve as Lily's maid of honor, her only guest outside of her family. She was currently changing into her gowns.
"Done."
A mirror was raised in front of her, revealing a simple white dress made of a silky material that fit her figure like a glove. The neckline dipped a bit, connecting the dress with thin white straps. On her head was the veil her mother had worn when marrying her father. Her hair was left down in long waves.
"You look like your mother," Druella said, staring at her form. Lily swallowed turning to the group as Walburga's gaze narrowed at her waist.
"You've kept weight on," she barked. "You're lucky James has made his intentions clear."
Lily flushed, giving Marlene a grateful look when her friend burst into the doorway.
"They're ready downstairs," she said, smiling at Lily. The women left the room, leaving the pair.
"Tell Dumbledore I'm in," Lily said, once her family and Euphemia cleared the room. "I'll spy on James for the Order."
Marlene nodded grimly.
"We'll need to reapply the same spells," she said. "To ensure you won't break if they torture you."
Before Lily could respond, the door opened, revealing the figure of her uncle and now the new Minister of Magic.
"We're starting," he said, glancing at his watch. Lily rolled her eyes. When he heard of the engagement he demanded to know why the quiet hurried wedding, realizing almost immediately the conditions unlike her aunt Walburga. He looked up at her, eyes flashing with something before going cold. "Your mother wore that on her wedding day."
"Something borrowed," Lily said, squeezing Marlene's hand as her friend left. She let Cygnus take her arm, guiding her downstairs to the gardens. Lily's heart sped up as she heard soft music, stepping outside.
It was snowing.
Light flurries fell through the pavilion as everblooming roses, a gift leftover from James's Rosier grandmother, bloomed between the flowerbeds. She could see Remus and Peter sitting with her family and James's mother. At the front, Sirius and Marlene stood on either side of James. Lily walked with her uncle, averting James's intense gaze as she saw Petunia and Rabastian sitting in the front pew with Euphemia Potter. Petunia nodded at her and Lily finally looked to the front.
"A good match," Cygnus said gruffly as James came down to take her from him. Lily stiffened as she was passed from one man to the other. James led her up the stairs to where the Ministry official conducting the wedding stood.
His gaze never wavered from her as he removed her veil. When Lily finally met his stare, she was consumed. Time warped and soon she found herself whispering an "I do," with the Potter family ring slipped onto her finger next to the engagement ring. And then James's lips were on hers, controlling as he sealed their marriage.
Lily could hear applause and Sirius's loud whistles, but her mind remained focused on the burning sensation running through her veins.
She was married to James.
She was chained to James.
As he broke the kiss, staring at her, Lily could see the victory in his gaze.
AN: Sorry for the delay. Chapters may take a bit longer now. Loving all the reviews!
R&R- Rin