Trials and Tribulations
Summary: Harry Potter knew he was going to get shocked when he visited his parents graves. He knew that'd he'd see family he never met; like grandparents, uncles, and aunts. But one thing he didn't know was that he was going to meet his sister.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I am not making any profit off of this fanfic.

Chapter Fourteen: Parent's, Rows, and Rumors

A few days has passed since Lily wrote her parents, and James was supposed to write his grandparents.

Lily and the Marauders were at breakfast. James was eating his breakfast, which consisted of cereal. Lily wasn't eating anything, because she had morning sickness that morning, and insisted that she was better off. James also thought it was because she had heartburn from the tomato soup she ate the night before.

"Owl post…where is my Daily Prophet?" Remus muttered to himself. He was eating a rather large helping of just about everything with molasses on top.

A few minutes later owl post came. Lily was sitting on the edge of her seat, because she had been waiting for a reply from her parents.

The owls flew all around the Great Hall. James jumped as the Daily Prophet was dropped in his cereal. Milk splashed all over his face and glasses.

"Moony, get your paper," James said, taking of his glasses. He pulled out his wand and pointed it at his face. The milk was gone. He did the same with his glasses and then he put them back on. "Now I need something new to eat. Thanks Moony."

"No problem."

James just shook his head. He looked up from the milk that was all over the place and looked at Lily. She was holding a rather large looking envelope in her hands, and it looked like something a Muggle would send.

"Is that from your parents?" Peter asked, pointing to the envelope. Lily nodded her head. She shakily opened it and read its contents. Remus put down his paper and watched as Lily read her letter. He was interested in what her parents might say.

Dear Lillian,

I'm starting to regret the idea of you staying at that summer session to help those students, no matter how much you helped them.

I expected something happened for you to not write, like your classes having a lot of homework, or even the Marauders being up to no good, still. But this—this news has shocked the entire family, especially your father, who believes there's a deeper problem under your belt, and it has nothing to do with your class work.

Lily noticed immediately that the handwriting changed drastically from her mother's neat script, to her father's messy one.

Lillian dear, you know you can talk to me whenever something happens, and if something happened between you and this Potter character, you can tell me. I'm not sure what Wizarding authorities are like, but our policemen will conduct a great investigation and put this—

Lily's eyes opened wide and she gasped. 'My dad thinks he—no. That's horrible…James would never…'

Your father has taken the pen out of me hands, I'm sorry. He has been standing over my shoulders since I began this letter, and of course, I have made several attempts to write this, but each and every time, he puts in his own input. He does not believe that you could have made such a decision of such a large degree on your own, if you know what I mean.

But nonetheless, the both of us have talked about it, and we'd like you to come home from school, if such things are happening, but of course, you are of age now, at least in Wizarding standards, and we can't make you do any such thing. Besides, finishing your education is quite important.

Lily closed her eyes, thanking Merlin that her parents had not insisted that she left school. 'I don't think I would have handled it well at all. Not at all.' She looked at the paper and continued on.

But Lillian, whatever decision you make, your father and I are behind you every step of the way. We support you, and if you need anything, you know we're just one Owl Post away, you should not be afraid to tell us anything, but of course, you know that as well.

Even though your father is protesting greatly, I would love for James to come home for Christmas, but please inform him of the magic regulations; we do not want your sister to be in a big fuss. I'd hate for things to get terribly strange again in the house.

I am proud that you have continued on with the pregnancy and did not terminate it. We all make mistakes—not that I want you to believe that this is a mistake. This is a human being, and no human being is a mistake. I just want you to know that I'm proud, and I accept your position.

But on the other hand, I do not want, under any circumstances, for you to believe that you are not welcome in this home. You have lived with this family for your entire life, and we love you. I do not ever want to read, hear, or even fathom as to why you would think such a thing! That's about the most horrendous—no, thoughtless thing I have heard from you, ever. Lillian, your father and I, Petunia too, we love you, so never be afraid to come home. Ever.

It's getting close to our dinner time as well, and Vernon is coming over to share the meal with us. Stay healthy, and eat whatever you're craving.

Love, with all my heart, and some,

Mom

"What's it say?" James asked, concerned. Lily was just about crying, and she had gasped in surprise several times during her letter, and at some points she looked saddened and at others she looked upset. 'I hope it wasn't bad.'

Lily tucked the parchment away in her pocket. "Everything's good," she said, wiping furiously at her eyes.

"Are you sure?" James asked. "I mean, you look upset, and all…They're not too upset are they? I'm sure things will get better soon Lily." He set down his spoon, his breakfast forgotten. "Are they upset?"

Lily glanced at her letter. "Not really upset…well my father—" She stopped and shook her head. She decided against informing James what her father thought really happened. "I mean, what do you expect? We're not married or anything…they're as upset as any other family would be…I guess." She looked at James a moment, studying him curiously. Then she asked, "Have you written your grandparents yet? What did they say?"

"No," James said, suddenly interested in his soggy cereal. "I haven't told them yet."

Lily's jaw dropped, and her cheeks began to flush as she became angry. "It's too late to write them now! What are they going to say when I meet them? Am I supposed to meet them?" Lily asked, suddenly very suspicious. "I am supposed to meet them, aren't I?"

"It's not like they're going to be angry," James snapped.

Lily's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Does that mean that you've done this before?" James looked up at her, sending her a confused look. "You can't be that—have you brought home pregnant girls before?" Her voice was thick with accusation.

Remus, sensing that confrontation was becoming inevitable, put a hand on Lily's arm. "Prongs has never done such a thing before Lily. How can you think such a thing?" Lily looked at him, and it looked like she was going to cry again. "His grandparents are just very understanding and kind people." Lily didn't look entirely convinced, but she was still near tears. "Just think, they allowed Padfoot to live with them for months at a time, and you know how he is. You'll be taken in very quickly."

Lily relaxed just slightly and rubbed at her eyes again. "Are you sure?" she asked, looking from Remus to James, and then Sirius. Sirius wasn't paying attention, and probably didn't hear the conversation because he was talking to a younger student about Muggle fireworks.

James looked at the younger student. It was the same one from the feast at beginning of the year, and he still looked just as gullible. "Don't listen to him. He's lying and still trying to get you killed." Sirius pouted and ended the conversation, turning to James. He was about to ask him why he did that when he noticed that Lily was near tears, and everyone else was giving him a serious look.

"What happened? Did I do something?"

"Lily wants to know if Prongs' grandparents are nice," Peter said.

"Of course they are! They let me live with them for a few months, without paying any money, might I add."

Lily sniffed and wiped at her eyes. "I have nothing to worry about?" she asked.

James shook his head. "Just trust me." He sent her a serious look before breaking out into a grin. Lily smiled and continued wiping at her eyes, cursing her hormones that constantly brought her to tears. 'I've never cried so much in my life.'

Remus was relieved that the confrontation was now behind them, and he returned his attention back to the Daily Prophet. "I think I'm going to get packed. Then I have some things I'd like to read about N.E.W.T.'s." Lily was up and nearly out of the Great Hall when Sirius called after her.

"N.E.W.T.'s?"

She didn't seem to hear him.

xoXoXoXox

Lily was sitting in the Library again, books stacked to the ceiling. She was just reading general information on the N.E.W.T.'s. She wanted to get the gist of it before actually taking notes on them. 'It would be best to be well prepared.' She kept saying to herself, flipping through her book.

Someone slid into a seat across from her, and Lily flashed them a smile, not really paying attention to who it was. She worked silently for a few minutes, before she noticed that the person sitting across from her was leafing through one of her books, and making a lot of noise while doing so. Lily hated it when people did that when she was working. "Can I help you?" Lily asked, peering at them. It was a girl she had noticed around since her first year. She was in the same year as her, but in Hufflepuff. She was also one of James's ex-girlfriends from the previous year.

"Actually, you can." Lily flinched, hearing too much cheeriness in her voice. 'Do they not understand that I can see through this…smarminess?' "I was just wondering if the rumors were true—"

"What rumors?" Lily asked, closing her book with a sigh. She might as well not be distracted by the book. She could agree to something that wasn't true, and that could cause a big mess.

"That you and Jamesie," Lily felt like she could get sick. That was the most disgusting thing she had ever heard…Jamesie…She shuddered. "Are going to have a baby together for a Muggle studies class, about Muggle contraception and how they don't work."

Lily's jaw dropped. "That's the rumor?"

"Well, it's actually…you're failing Muggle Studies I think…but I'm not sure…" Lily looked scandalized. 'That's the rumor?' The girl looked excited. "So it is true?"

"No…not exactly," Lily said. 'Do I really have to justify myself? I mean…I've never done so before…But clearing the air could do some good.' "I'm going to have a baby—"

Now it was the girl that looked scandalized. "I wish I was you. If I could be starkers with James Potter, at least one…" She left the table, muttering things to herself.

Lily shook her head, and returned to her book. As she was reading, she lost her concentration because a few girls, including the one who she had just talked to, were sitting close to her table and talking about her. 'They aren't even trying to be discreet. That's nutters. Those are some great gossipers…'

After a few more minutes of trying to study, Lily just gave up. She took the book she was reading and a few others and then put the rest away. She was now frustrated because she hadn't been in the Library that long, and she dearly missed the things she used to be able to get done in there. She traveled quickly from the Library, trying carefully to balance the books she was carrying.

When Lily got to the Gryffindor Common Room, she was surprised to see James sitting on the couch, nursing a nosebleed. Remus was sitting next to him with ice on his cheek. Sirius was in an armchair across from them, unscathed. McGonagall was standing in front of them, her hands crossed over her chest, and her lips pursed in a thin line. It seemed like Lily had just got there before the brunt of McGonagall's speech

Lily rushed over to the couch, dropping her books beside Remus. "What happened?" she asked, almost thinking that James and Remus got into a fight, but dismissing it when McGonagall began to speak.

"It seems that Lupin and Potter like to take things into their own hands, instead of coming to Professors." She sighed, and lifted Remus's head to see the bruise on his cheek. "Even though I don't approve of what those other students were saying, I wish you would have gotten me or Albus. We would have been able to properly discipline them."

"Sorry Professor," Remus mumbled.

"Yeah, sorry," James added.

McGonagall sighed. "Even though most Professor's wouldn't do as I'm doing, I'm feeling a bit sympathetic, but mostly I pity the situation, I'm not giving you any detentions. But if this happens again, you come to me, not your fists. We're not Muggles."

Sirius laughed, but Lily was still a bit confused.

McGonagall pulled out her wand and pointed it at James. His nosebleed stopped. Then she tapped Remus's cheek and the bruise went away. "Keep that ice on it, your cheek is going to be sore for a bit." Remus nodded his head.

"Thank you Professor," James and Remus chorused. She nodded her head and then left.

Lily put her hands on her hips. "Who were you defending?"

James and Remus exchanged glances.

"Really? You were defending each other?" Lily asked sarcastically. She knew that Remus would not have fought anyone if they said anything about himself or James, but James on the other hand fought about everything and anything.

"No. They were defending you," Sirius said. "I wish I was there! You two always go off and fight without me."

Lily sat down beside James. "What did they say about me this time? That we are failing Muggle studies?"

James shook his head. "Other stuff. I'd rather not repeat it."

Lily sighed. "Some people are gits."

"I know," Sirius said. "We're the Marauders; we'll get them back eventually, so why do they bother to bother us? Stupid…"

Lily looked sternly at Sirius. It had been ages since she heard the Marauders talk about their pranks. She still disapproved of them. "What book is that?" James asked, leaning over Remus to grab one of Lily's books. He read the title and rolled his eyes.

"Even though N.E.W.T.'s are so far away…"

"Did you ever think that I might have my baby when N.E.W.T.'s come around? I might have to take them earlier than the rest of you."

"Yeah, but you still have like six months," Peter said.

"Don't even bother, Peter. We'll never be able to understand," Remus said, laughing. Lily picked up a pillow and threw it at him.

"I don't think you're going to get a Christmas present now, Mr. Lupin."

"Aww Lily, don't say that. I was only kidding." Remus said. Lily just shrugged her shoulders. She grabbed her book from James, and opened it, reading it. Remus shook his head at her, and pulled out one of his own books.

"As if that solves anything…" Sirius said, watching them a moment. "Since they're reading, what are we going to do?" he asked. "Anybody want to play chess?"

"I need to pack." Peter said. He got up and left.

"Prongs, wanna play chess?"

James nodded his head. "Sure, why not?"

Sirius bounded up the boys dormitory staircase, and came back moments later with his chess set. He set up the pieces, and he and James began playing their game.

While Lily was reading her book, she glanced up and looked at James. He was staring at the chessboard, thinking about what piece to move next. He was very good at chess, and she knew that he and Sirius would probably be at this game for hours. 'I hope my parents like him…I really do.'

xoXoXoXox

BB/N: Sorry it's taken me a bit to update. There's been a lot of stuff going on with a friend of mine…Hahaha…I just said a stupid pun in my head.

The letter from above was fueled by my mother's words, because a friend of mine who've I have known for just about a decade is pregnant, and she's 15. So I'm not going to be typing as much as I like, especially with that and summer is going to officially end when Band Camp starts…so…I'll just try to keep up.

Have a Nice Day!

Love,
Bob Bennit