Ch. 20 - Planning & Unplanned

Most of the order members were already there when Lily and James arrived at 12 Grimmauld place. Alastor Moody opened the door and led them into the living room where people were gathered. The mood of the room was somber and people looked worried.
"Listen up everyone," Moody said in his rough voice. "Some of you already know, but there's been an attack tonight."

"Just tell us who, Moody." Sirius said.

"The McKinnons. The Death Eaters killed Marlene and her family."

Lily stumbled backwards and James caught her, squeezing his arms around her chest. She couldn't understand how this had happened – they'd said goodbye to Marlene no more than two hours ago. Sirius slid down the wall and put his head between his knees.

It was impossible to picture Marlene defeated. No one could say anything. There was crying and silence for a long time.

Remus cleared his throat and spoke in a shaky voice. "What – how? I mean, do you know what happened Moody?"

"I don't know any details yet. It happened at the McKinnon's home. Apparently Marlene came home and put up a good fight. What I do know is that you all need to start thinking about using protective enchantments and disguises going forth."

"All the time?" Gideon asked.

"Even the purebloods are at risk. I believe they know who the members of the order are by now, and they are hunting all of us. All of us and our families."

Sirius stood up "So what, we go into hiding? We can't just stop fighting! I want to find those bastards who…"

"Who said anything about stop fighting, Sirius?" Moody cut him off, raising his voice a bit. "We just need to re-strategize."

"Jesus, can't we have a minute to mourn before moving on the war again?" Frank said, rubbing Alice's arm.

"I'm sorry if it seems indelicate. But we just don't have the time anymore." Moody looked at his pocket watch. "Which reminds me, I have to go meet Dumbledore. Kingsley, take over from here, and I want solid plans when I get back." He hobbled out of the room and there was another minute of silence.

"I just can't believe it." Lily said, wiping her nose on her sleeve.

"I know. But Madeye is right – unfortunately we have to keep going. And Marlene would want us to keep going." Mary said.

"So what's the plan then, Kingsley?" Sturgis Podmore, a new member and fellow auror trainee who was sitting on one of the couches, leaned forward eagerly.

"Well, Moody put me in charge, but I don't really have any answers for you. Please, all ideas are welcome."

They talked and strategized for hours. When it was over, each and every member had specific instructions and plans for the next couple weeks.

James and Lily took the floo network back to their apartment. They sat on the couch, exhausted.

"I just – I just can't believe it. We just saw her."

"I know." James sighed.

"Are you scared, James?"

"Yes."

"Me too." Lily had tears streaming down her face as James stroked her hair. "I don't know what to do anymore."

Remus, Sirius and Peter came over the next day to talk logistics.

"James, I think you should sit this one out." Remus suggested. The mission they were discussing was just to collect information, but it would still be quite dangerous.

"What are you talking about?" James asked.

"I just…" He glanced at Lily, who was making tea in the kitchen. "You have more to lose now." They all gave him a curious look.

"Remus, I appreciate the concern. But James and I have talked about this. We've fought about this. And neither of us care much for standing by while our friends put themselves at risk." Lily set a tray on the table. "Unfortunately we are both quite stubborn."

"See? So back to the plan." James clapped his hands. Remus still looked uncomfortable.

"Yeah uhh you guys talk. Lily, while I think of it, can you show me your potions cabinet? I need to borrow some ingredients."

"Sure. Right back here." She led him through to the guest room, which had a large bookcase. Lily pulled on the spine of a large green dictionary and the bookcase spun around to reveal a potions cabinet.

"So what did you need?"

"Lily. This is awkward." Remus was pacing the room. "I – I just think you need to know."

"Know what Remus?"

Remus stopped pacing "If I'm not mistaken, Lils, you're pregnant."

"Excuse me?" Lily looked shocked.

"It's a wolf thing." Remus scratched the back of his neck. "I can sort of…smell it."

"You can smell…my pregnancy?"

"Well, yeah."

"Okay Remus, funny joke." She chuckled.

"Lily, trust me. I'm not kidding."

"Well, then you are mistaken. And I'll prove it. Reach up on that top shelf and grab that small yellow bottle."

Remus did as he was told and handed it to Lily, who had grabbed a larger flask. She emptied the contents of the yellow bottle into the flask and walked out. Remus followed her into the kitchen. She added some ginger and carrots into a bowl and mashed them up, then poured the potion mixture into the bowl. Finally, she measured ½ cup of pumpkin juice, and added the contents of the bowl into the glass.

"Cheers." She drank.

"What happens?" Remus asked.

"Well, interestingly enough…" Lily started, but was interrupted by a voice in the living room.

"What the fuck!" James yelled suddenly, grabbing his crotch. "OUCH WHAT THE HELL." He ran toward the bathroom. Lily looked at Remus, a look of shock on her face, and then ran after James.

"James?" Lily came into the bathroom to find James with his pants around his ankles, trying to figure out what was wrong. She turned on the shower and made sure it was cold.

"Lils, I don't know what's happening. It burns. But it's hard. I – I don't know." She tried not to laugh. He was freaking out.

"James! Listen to me." She started removing his clothes. "Get some cold water on it and you'll be fine." She sat on the bathroom counter and leaned against the mirror while he rinsed off. She heard a very audible "Oh, yes," and giggled.

Lily decided it was time to talk. "James?"

"Yeah, hun?"

"Do you feel okay now?"

"Much better."

"Can you come out?"

"Why don't you come in?" He opened the shower door, smiling.

"James. I would love to, but not now." He saw the serious look on her face and turned the faucet off.

"Lils, what is going on?" He wrapped a towel around his waist and put his glasses back on.

"I don't – I don't know how to say this." Lily didn't even know how she felt about it yet, so she was having trouble finding the right words to tell James. "I'm pregnant."

He looked at her inquiringly "What? How?"

"Do you want me to walk you through how I got pregnant?"

"I just thought that you were taking that potion."

"Apparently it doesn't always work." She felt nervous; he was being quiet. "Please tell me what you're thinking."

"Well, I'm thinking it's pretty great." James put his hand on her belly.

"Really?" Lily asked. She felt the knot in her stomach go away.

"Don't you?"

"I don't know really know how I feel about it. I mean, we've never really talked about kids."

"Don't you want them?"

"Yes, but I always figured we'd wait until after the war."

"Things can't always go according to plan," He shrugged.

"You're right."

"Don't you think this is cool?" James stood between her legs kissed her forehead.

"Cool is one word for it." She chuckled as he kissed her neck. Of course James would be excited about this. This situation was very fitting for them, and she was happy about it. She was taken out of her thoughts when she felt James sneak his hand under her dress.

"James, we have guests." She said, although that had not stopped them before.

"Oh come on you're so wet already. I just want to see you cum." He tucked his fingers inside her panties and she felt one of his fingers enter her.
Instead of protesting further, Lily scooted further on the counter and ground her hips against his hand.

"Oh god, James." He added two fingers and then started pumping them in and out of her faster. He used his other hand to roughly grab her breast.

"I love you Lils, I love it when you cum." He kissed her neck.

"Yes, yes make me cum James!" She closed her eyes as he increased his speed even he pulled his fingers out. He knelt down, pulled her knickers down, and dove in.

"OH GOD YES." He stuck a finger back inside her while his tongue lapped at her wetness.

Lily felt herself on the verge and pulled on James hair, pushing him closer to her center. "Oh god I'm gonna cum! Yes James don't stop, don't stop." She cried out James' name as she came, and it took a minute for her to catch her breath.

"You are so beautiful." James kissed her. He started putting his clothes on. He had been standing in the towel since he got out of the shower. They heard a knock on the door.

"Oi! If you two are done shagging in there, we've got some planning to do." They opened the door to find Sirius with his arms crossed across his chest, smirking. "You could at least try a silencing charm."

James laughed. "Please Sirius. You get off on it."

"Maybe, but I'm just trying to save poor Peter's virgin ears." Sirius said as they made their way into the family room. Peter didn't say anything, just gave Sirius the finger.

Remus was still standing in the kitchen and gave Lily a look of concern.

"Guys, we have something to tell you." Lily said. She sat down on James' lap and he wrapped an arm around her waist.
"Lily's pregnant." James said.

"WHAT!" Sirius and Peter said together. Remus chuckled and joined them, sitting on the couch next to Sirius.
"Since when? How?" Sirius stood up.

"Why do you guys keep asking how?" Lily laughed, looking at James.

"Wow. Guys." Peter said.

"Never thought you'd be so irresponsible, Lils." Sirius said. "So how long have you kept this from us?"

"About 5 minutes." James said.

"Actually, Remus knew. How long have you known?" Lily asked.

Remus shrugged. "Well, I sensed something was weird about a week ago, but I wasn't sure since it's only happened one other time. Then we came over today and I definitely knew."

"Wait. What has happened?"

"Remus could smell it." Lily rolled her eyes and added hand quotations around the word smell.

"Well that's not gross at all." Peter said, making a face.

"Oh shut up Pete. It is kinda cool he was able to tell us." James couldn't stop smiling.

"So are you guys going to elope now? I refuse to let my future godchild be a bastard." Sirius crossed his arms over his chest.

"Maybe just expediting the wedding date. Mia would kill me if we took the dream wedding away from her." James shrugged.

"Nobody throws a party like Mia." They all nodded.

"Well, I'm really happy for you guys. I've actually gotta head out – but let's finish these plans tomorrow, okay?" Peter stood up. Nobody said anything - they just looked at him with curious faces as he walked out.

"Well that was weird." Remus said.

"Yeah. But I do agree with him, no more planning for today. We shall celebrate tonight!" Sirius clapped his hands together.

Lily sighed. It felt strange, being happy about this. She almost felt guilty about being happy at all. It hadn't even been 24 hours since one of Lily's best friends was killed by Voldomort. There was so much to worry about, and they still had a war to fight in. She was feeling so many emotions at once and wanted to cry of both happiness and sadness. She laughed and rolled her eyes while the boys started drinking champagne and coming up with baby names.
Maybe this child was their fate. Maybe this was Marlene giving them a sign. Or maybe it's just a fucking baby, Lily. She thought. No matter what though, she knew one thing. She would love this baby. She already did love it.