PROLOGUE

A bright silver crane soared through the quartz-infused glass of the Headmaster's Office, coming to hover right before Albus Dumbledore.

The wizened headmaster recognized it instantly as the Patronus of Healer Benjy Fenwick.

Healer Fenwick was a veteran Healer on staff at St. Mungo's Hospital, his leadership over the Maternity Department putting him in the unique position of having insight into every live birth that happened in Wizarding Britain. He had the most accurate information about the pregnancies and births within the magical population, countrywide. It was of unspeakable value to Dumbledore to have Healer Fenwick be a member of the Order of the Phoenix, reporting to him the sensitive information that he had no other means of getting.

Dumbledore leaned forward and listened intently to the brief message.

"Gathered intel through daily admin notes. Two more positive pregnancy tests. One with an estimated due date of 22 July 1980, the other with an estimated due date of 31 July 1980. Full report forthcoming."

Dumbledore sighed, deeply, as the Patronus disappeared.

This was troubling.

When he'd put Healer Fenwick on the assignment of scouting out any child that was born as the seventh month ended, Dumbledore hadn't expected that Healer Fenwick would have five potential candidates within only two months.

This was alarming that a growing number of newborn or unborn wizarding children could potentially be the child spoken of in the prophecy that he'd witnessed a little over a month ago, in late October 1979.

The prophecy foretold the downfall and vanquishing of Lord Voldemort, which should had been good news - if only the one meant accomplish this wasn't a child.

Several more hours passed, before Healer Fenwick was able to come to Hogwarts and make his report.

Healer Fenwick distractedly accepted a warm mug of cider as he looked at Dumbledore, gravely.

"Assuming you received my Patronus with no trouble, I'll get straight to the point. Early yesterday morning, Auror Alice Longbottom was brought into St. Mungo's Emergency Department, following a skirmish with Death Eaters in London." Healer Fenwick looked troubled, as he continued, "Auror Longbottom was seriously injured. She tried to insist on what she called a 'patch job', so that she could return to the Ministry as soon as possible. Her team leader – the Bones girl, Amelia – was against this. Auror Bones forbade her from returning to work until after she'd had a full work-up and examination, given a clean bill of health, and released by St. Mungo's Hospital to return to duty. Her pregnancy was discovered in the course of this exam. According to the chart notes, Auror Longbottom is very aware that she is with child – she is however hiding that from the Ministry, so as to be able to stay on duty longer and not be forced into early retirement because of her reproductive status."

Dumbledore tutted, disapprovingly.

His disapproval was not for Alice Longbottom.

He was instead disgusted and frustrated at the archaic policies within the Auror Office, which disallowed women to have both a family and be an active duty Auror. Aurors who became pregnant in the line of duty were usually forced from their roles or only allowed to stay on in a capacity that essentially stripped them of everything about being an Auror, rendering the title little more than ceremonial.

Alice Longbottom was being forced to hide her pregnancy because she was trying to keep her career as long as possible. It was an appalling quandary for the young woman to herself in.

"Which estimated due date is hers?" asked Dumbledore, concerned.

"22 July 1980." Healer Fenwick accepted another refill of cider, sipping anxiously. "The other due date is someone I don't know much about, at all, I'm afraid. This was completely accidental. The magi-lab technicians were processing the results of a urgent care clinic lab panel; standard vital exam because of a visit for the common cold. The positive test result shows this witch's pregnancy is in the very early stages, hardly a month along. The estimated due date of 31 July 1980 for the other witch, who is much younger than Alice Longbottom; only a year or so out of Hogwarts, if I'm remembering her birthdate correctly. You'll have to tell me if you know her? Her name would be Lily J. Evans."

Dumbledore blinked in surprise.

"I know her well. You're familiar with her, as well, but you wouldn't know it. The name she gave St. Mungo's Hospital is her maiden name." Dumbledore looked at Fenwick significantly, declaring: "Lily J. Evans is now Mrs. Lily Potter. You remember her from the wedding that ended with Fleamont and Euphemia Potter's deaths, after a Death Eater raid? She is young James Potter's bride and his Hogwarts sweetheart. They were my Head Boy and Head Girl for the Class of 1978, scarcely two years ago So, yes – Lily is rather young, indeed, for an expectant mother and new bride."

Healer Fenwick looked crushed at being informed of just who Lily J. Evans really was.

The cup of cider he had was sat down, sharply, unhappily, as he frowned and looked at Dumbledore, upset.

"No wonder she gave her maiden name! Her married name is still being spread all over the paper, weeks later. What happened at those kids' wedding was one of the worst things to happen in this war, so far." Healer Fenwick declared, feelingly. "They'll never get another wedding day. They'll never get Fleamont and Euphemia back! And now, this great change upon them, so soon after tragedy! I know children are supposed to be a gift and a blessing. But perhaps this isn't the best-timed moment for pregnancy…"

Dumbledore sighed heavily.

"I find myself agreeing with you, dear Benjy. However, despite the tragedy that still looms over the young Potters or the dilemma that Alice Longbottom – and her husband, the current Auror Captain! – might face in the workplace, we've little choice on what our next steps must be." Dumbledore looked at Healer Fenwick seriously. "Please let Alastor know that I'm approving the official recruitment of Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom and Mr. and Mrs. Potter. As well, I'm approving the preliminary recruitment from within their close network of friends."

Benjy Fenwick nodded. He would see Alastor Moody within the next hour or two, at their family dinner; as his brother-in-law, Benjy would be the most secure line of communication, as well as the quickest. Shortly afterwards, he left for the dinner he was expected to be at.

Dumbledore was left alone with his thoughts about the next round of witches and wizards who he hoped would become members of the Order of the Phoenix.

As expectant parents of a child who'd be born as the seventh month died, they didn't know it – but they could be very important to ending the war against Lord Voldemort.