Prologue
A bright silver crane came soaring through the quartz-infused glass of the Headmaster's Office, coming to hover right before Albus Dumbledore.
The wizened headmaster instantly recognized the Patronus of Benjy Fenwick.
Healer Fenwick was a veteran Healer at St. Mungo's Hospital. His leadership over the Maternity Ward at St. Mungo's Hospital put Healer Fenwick in the unique position of having insight into every live birth that happened or would happen in Wizarding Britain. He had the most accurate information about the pregnancies and births within the magical population, countrywide.
As of a month ago, it was of unspeakable value to Dumbledore that Healer Fenwick would have immediate knowledge of which witches were due to give birth when.
Dumbledore knew that Benjy was risking a great deal reporting to him the sensitive information – but it was a sacrifice that made him a trusted senior member of the Order of the Phoenix.
Dumbledore leaned forward and listened intently to the brief message.
"Gathered urgent intel earlier this morning. Two more positive pregnancy potions. 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.
Dumbledore removed his glasses, pinching the bridge of his nose in distress as he tried to steady his mind.
When he'd assigned Benjy Fenwick the mission of discovering any child that would be born as the seventh month died, whose parents would be those in repeated defiance of Lord Voldemort – he hadn't expected that already, only a month after that bitterly cold Halloween night he'd witnessed the Dark Prophecy, there would already be so many possible children to be named as targets.
Edgar and Emily Bones had seemed the most likely, in the first few days of trying to intensely study the prophecy record.
Edgar was a noble pureblood, the shining icon of justice and law and Light; he came from a traditionally Hufflepuff family and the Bones family had a long history of service and dedication to the Ministry, which its most recent generation was following, to the hilt. Edgar had first become a name in the Great War with Lord Voldemort as he was leaving Hogwarts; his public callout of Lord Voldemort's recruitment of him was the first scandal that had made him a target of the Dark Lord. Edgar had dug in his heels and quickly followed in further defiance, with his appointment to the Head of the Auror Office. Edgar Bones was becoming a leading voice in the war against Lord Voldemort, highly popular and supported as the Ministry tried to stand against the growing assault of war and dark magic.
Edgar's marriage to his Muggleborn wife had solidified his stance as everything in defiance of what Lord Voldemort stood for. And, the birth of his third child at the end of September was his most recent pride, a clear snub towards pureblood prejudiced that had been the fuel and fire of this war for a decade.
Dumbledore been reasonably sure that September was what was meant by "as the seventh month dies". September had literal roots in the number seven, despite it being the ninth month of the year; there was every possibility that Edgar and his wife had a newborn child that could one day fulfill the prophecy.
September seemed to be even more likely when Dumbledore had it reported to him by Benjy Fenwick that Marlene McKinnon Travers had come into St. Mungo's Hospital, prematurely in labor in her seventh month of pregnancy – and had given birth to a daughter on the last day of September, as the end of her seventh month of pregnancy.
Dumbledore had been startled that premature birth could qualify a child. But it made as much sense as his original assumption.
He could not ignore the likelihood of Marlene's daughter being a possible candidate. Marlene had fled her marriage to Theron Travers, halfway through her pregnancy with their first child. Her defiance could be seen as fleeing her Death Eater husband, followed by returning to her blood traitor family. When Magnus McKinnon had gravely requested his help in casting the Fidelius Charm, Dumbledore then understood that Marlene was running – running in defiance of her ex-husband and his Master's determined hunting for her.
Dumbledore didn't hesitate to help Magnus McKinnon and his family, as they had done for him as loyal members of the Order of the Phoenix for over a decade.
Just when he'd thought that those two children would be the only ones, Benjy had sent another Patronus –
And now, he had to consider two more children who would be born in another few months, in late July 1980.
As the seventh month of the year died, not the seventh month of a pregnancy or the month that had roots in the number seven.
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."
Dumbledore nodded, urging Healer Fenwick to go on.
Healer Fenwick didn't hesitate.
"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'. She wanted to be able to return to the Ministry as soon as possible! Her team leader – the Bones girl, Amelia – was against this, thank goodness. 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 quite 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. Witches had made many strides in the Ministry, but there were still parts of their government where they met with resistance. This dilemma Alice Longbottom was represented one of these areas.
Alice Longbottom was being forced to hide her pregnancy because she was trying to keep her career as long as possible.
"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 estimated due date of 31 July 1980 is for a much younger witch; 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. Of course you remember the raid on her wedding, back in September, which killed Fleamont and Euphemia Potter? 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! The raid happened in September, and still, weeks later – they won't stop gossiping about those poor youths and their tragedy!"
Dumbledore said nothing but agreed.
Benjy declared, feelingly, his Healer's compassion bursting and overflowing as it always did, "What happened at those kids' wedding was one of the worst things to happen in this war, so far. They'll never get another wedding day. They'll never get Fleamont and Euphemia back! And now, barely three months after all of that happening at once – a pregnancy! I know children are supposed to be a gift and a blessing, but perhaps this isn't the time…"
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, a 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.