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 Twenty-Seven: Under the Weather
"James," Lily whispered, shaking his shoulder. It was four thirty in the afternoon and both Lily and James had been sleeping until Lily woke up. "James, it hurts."
James's eyes snapped open. "What hurts?" He sat up quickly, looking at Lily. She was perched on the edge of his bed, holding her stomach. "Are you in labor?" he asked, his voice hitching. Lily shook her head.
"I don't think so, but it hurts." She rubbed her stomach and closed her eyes, wishing that the pain would just go away.
"Alright." James slowly maneuvered himself out of bed. "Your healers appointment is in a few minutes anyway." He checked his watch to make sure he was right. "Let's get you down to the Infirmary." He gently pulled her to her feet. She took a few steps before grabbing her stomach again. She let out a little groan. "Lily?" James's hands began shaking.
"I think I'm having contractions," Lily whispered. She opened her eyes and slowly stood up straight. "Let's walk." James looped his arms around her and helped her slowly walk.
"Are you bleeding or has your water broke?" James asked. Realizing that Lily was as dry as dry could be, he figured her water didn't break.
"No." Lily took a deep breath. They hadn't even left his bedroom yet. James slowly opened the door and looked down the stairs. He paused a moment and readjusted Lily. "I can make it," she whispered. "Let's just take our time, yeah?"
"Right."
Step by step, James was sure he had never been so nervous in his life. He kept his arm around Lily and his fingers in one of her belt loops. He was afraid of her having another contraction on their way down the steps and losing her balance. Finally, they reached the bottom of the staircase without trouble. They paused for Lily to catch her breath, and then they moved on. The rest of the Marauders and Frank were in the Common Room, along with a few other students. At the sight of Lily and James coming down the steps, it got deathly quiet.
"Contractions," James said, upon seeing everyone look at him. Sirius jumped into the air. "We're taking our time. No rush. We're going to walk slowly."
"Walk?"
"It helps," Lily said, as they inched their way through the Common Room. "My bag is underneath James's bed. It's packed, can you bring that along?" Lily asked as she walked passed them. "Anyone would do," she added as they neared the portrait. They walked through the portrait with only a little bit of difficulty, and then they continued on. "Talk to me," Lily asked, looking up at James.
"Were you feeling under the weather before?"
"A little." Lily closed her eyes. "Have you studied enough for N.E.W.T.'s?"
James tried not to laugh. How she managed to keep her mind on other things was beyond him. He couldn't even fathom thinking of anything but her. "I think I studied enough."
"I'll probably take mine during the summer," Lily said. She struggled to keep up with James's pace. It seemed like he was a bit ahead of himself and couldn't wait to get to the Infirmary. "Slow down James. I can barely keep up." James slowed almost immediately. He wrapped his arm tighter around her and tried to stop the shaking of his hands. "Are you scared?" Lily asked, looking at his hand that was on her side. She stared at it a moment before looking back at James.
"Terrified."
"So am I."
"I never thought it would happen so soon."
"I certainly felt pregnant forever," Lily said, laughing slightly. They were at the moving staircases now. "Let's hope these don't move."
It was a tedious process to move down the steps. They decided to move twice, altering their course to the Infirmary. Lily held onto James tightly each time the stairs even wobbled. She had been terrified of falling again.
Absolutely terrified.
"We're almost at the bottom," James said. "I wonder if whoever is getting your bag is taking his time."
"It was probably Sirius, and he jumped out a window." Lily said through gritted teeth. "Thought it would be faster."
"At any rate," James said, stepping off the last stair. Lily took a moment before stepping off the stair. "We'll get to the Infirmary in time for your appointment."
"It takes too long to get there," Lily said. She tightened her grip around James and then held her stomach. Nothing she did seemed to take away the pain. James noticed this and he tightened his grip around her, stroking her side. She dropped her head to his shoulder and they continued their way to the Infirmary, at a snails pace.
By the time they reached the Infirmary, Madame Jacobs and Pomfrey were standing outside the door. James saw Sirius standing in the Infirmary, pacing. Lily looked up at James as they neared the two older women. "He really did jump out a window."
James smiled slightly. Madame Pomfrey directed James to an already made bed. Lily stood beside it for a moment, trying to contemplate exactly how to get on it. These beds were a bit taller than the beds in the dormitories. James noticed her predicament and carefully picked her up, careful to support her knees and back. He set her down gently.
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"Why's it taking so long?"
Remus appeared outside the door to the Infirmary. James and Sirius were pacing, hands clasped behind their backs. James was sweating and every few seconds he would stop and look at the door before continuing on. It had been fifteen minutes since Lily went behind her little enclosed area to change into a hospital gown, and Madame Pomfrey had sent James out.
Remus watched for several moments, debating if he should laugh, or if he should join them. The tension in that corridor was high and thick.
James suddenly stopped, stomping his foot. "I'm of age! I should be allowed in there!"
"You're also the father of the baby," Sirius added.
"Supposedly," Remus muttered. Sirius and James began to chuckle softly, the tension breaking a little.
A few more minutes passed by, and then James collapsed to the ground. He dropped his head into his hands and gripped his hair tightly. The fact that he had no idea what was going on with his girlfriend--fiancé, was driving him mad. 37 weeks seemed a bit too early to him, but then again, he never imagined it would happen.
James jumped when the door to the Infirmary opened. Standing at the door in her pyjamas was Lily, her face red and her eyes sparkling. She looked a little relieved. "False alarm," she said, stepping out into the corridor.
"That was a false alarm?" James asked, holding his hand out for Remus to pull him up. Lily nodded her head and when James was safely on his feet, he hugged Lily, not tightly. "What'd they say?"
"I'm going to have the baby in less than a week," Lily said, grinning. "Madame Jacobs told me no more walking, only if I need it, like going to the lavatory, and as much sleep as I can get. I'll need it for the delivery. I'll need to find comfortable positions to sleep in." James wrapped his arm around Lily and Sirius took the bag. They walked slowly back to the Gryffindor Common Room. "I'll be feeling contractions, not as strong as today, but they'll be a bit uncomfortable." James nodded his head. Remus fell into step beside Sirius. "I might have problems sleeping because the contractions, and this baby feels as heavy as ever," Lily said.
"Well you're going directly to bed," James said. "I can't have you walking about either." And in one fluid movement, he lifted Lily into his arms. Lily squealed in surprise, and laughed when he looked down at her.
"Remus! Why didn't you save me! This baby might be yours too!"
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"Lily, I have to see Professor McGonagall about Saturday's quidditch match."
Lily looked up from the book she was reading. James was sitting on the floor, putting together the crib. He felt that it would be a good idea to have it together and set up for their little girl. Lily nodded her head slightly. "I think I'm going to bed anyway," she said. She set aside her book and watched as James stood up. The crib was a little more than half put together, and he knew it wouldn't take long to finish it. He set it on the other side of the bed, not wanting to block Lily's way from getting up and about.
"I'll be back in a bit," James said, kissing her quickly. Lily sat up on one elbow as he neared the door.
"Bring back green beans!"
James laughed said, "I thought you were going to bed?" Lily just shrugged her shoulders. James laughed and nodded his head before leaving.
Lily sighed and laid back down. It was only nine o'clock and she was exhausted. She grabbed her blanket and pulled it up to her chin. She shifted around a bit, trying to find a way to get comfortable. After thinking a moment, she grabbed an extra pillow and put it underneath her hip, taking the pressure off. Sighing in content, she drifted off to sleep.
Dancing.
That's what I'm doing. It's raining and the water is dripping on my face, but I don't care much. I can't believe Petunia won't come out and play with me. She said it was dangerous, that I could slip in the mud, but I won't hurt myself.
I'm magic.
Thunder clapped and I look at the sky. I counted, waiting for the strike of lightning. We haven't had rain in England for ages. The lightning never came. I looked at Petunia, and she looks at me as if I have a death wish.
What's going on?
Suddenly the rain begins pouring harder. I wince, looking at my arms. I gasp as welts appear on my skin. The rain is leaving welts! I run towards the house, heart beating quickly. I didn't travel that far from the house, did I? It was as if my house drifted farther and farther away as I got closer. I couldn't get onto the porch. Petunia is looking at me, smirking. Why is she laughing at me? I shout at her to help me, to run into the rain and help me get to the house, but she starts shaking her head. She's backing away from me, into the house.
I start screaming for my sister. Why isn't she helping me? I need her help! My pulse quickens as I start running faster, watching my house get farther and farther away. I'm losing my breath, I've been running for ages, and my house isn't getting closer.
I feel sick.
My clothes are soaked through and my skin is turning blue. I'm cold. My arms ache from the welts. The rain was pelting my body, taunting me. Why didn't I just listen to Petunia?
Lightning strikes. The hair on the back of my neck stands on end and I turn around. I scream in surprise, the lightning is coming towards me! It hit the ground, and is coming towards me. I stumbled backwards, and before I know it, I'm falling.
Falling.
Darkness.
I can't see anything. I'm just falling in darkness. I feel cold air going passed me. My skin is freezing, my clothes are dry. I was just in the rain. Where am I falling?
I start to scream. Will someone save me? I feel as if I've been here before, and then I start to relax. James will come and save me, on his broom.
I'm still falling.
I managed to look beneath me, and the ground is coming up, fast. Suddenly I realize, no one's going to save me. I start to struggle, reaching in the air for something to hold on to. I'm crying now, unable to hold in my sobs.
I'm falling faster.
Damn gravity.
I see my life flash before my eyes for a brief moment, before I hit the ground, and then--
Lily woke up, gasping for breath. Sweat drenched her skin and she was breathing heavily. Shakily she looked at her arms, relieved that there was no marks on them. As her eyes became adjusted to the light, or lack of, she saw her hands.
"Oh. My. God."
She couldn't breathe for a moment. 'Not good. Not good. Where's James?' She pulled her blankets away from her body and gasped. Blood soaked through her clothes and sheets. For a moment she felt sick and then dizzy. She didn't know what to do.
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BB/N: Three more chapters…
Almost the end.
-sob-
Love,
Bob Bennit