A/N: Hey guys! Again thanks for being patient with me TT_TT. School got in the way and I was forced to face it in a Wizarding Duel. Thankfully I won but got crippled in the process! I got hit with a mathematics nightmare curse leaving me barely able to write this story. I already had this chapter planned out but I got so lazy, I blame it on my bed though. Warning guys, this chapter is dedicated for the character improvement of the Marauders and etc. Sorry I'm rambling. I now present you the disclaimer!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything that is referenced in this work of fanfiction that hence follows this chapter or any other chapter TT_TT.
N: ….Parseltongue….
Spell casting
"Speech."
Now on to the story!
Chapter Three – Second Prophecy and Birth of a Lady
Two weeks after the unfolding of the Prophecy, Godric's Hollows, Potter Cottage, England . . .
"Bleurghhh!" James heard Lily retch in the bathroom; he immediately stood up and sleepily advanced towards Lily whilst adjusting his glasses. Upon arriving to his destination, he rubbed circles on her back, grimacing at the sounds she made. Once she finished, he helped her up and supported her whilst she washed her face thoroughly, specifically her mouth. She stared at James' reflection, before turning around and facing him. James guided her towards their bed, rubbing her back all the while. An uncomfortable silence ensued.
James spoke up, effectively breaking the tense atmosphere. "Hey, you've been sick since last week. Are you sure you're fine?" He said staring at her concernedly.
Lily sighed. "You know how much I hate hospitals." She grumbled but slumped when James gave her a worried glare. "Fine. You win. We'll go and have myself checked out to make sure I'm not dying just to assure you, you big mother hen." She smiled at him as she moved towards the bathroom to get ready.
"Don't even joke about something like that!" James shouted at Lily's departing back as the door closed.
Potter Cottage, Godric's Hollow, England . . .
James moved mechanically towards the Floo as he recalled his conversation with Lily that ended when his wife told him to get Sirius and Remus arses in their home so she could explain her distrust at the Headmaster.
He didn't understand where her dislike of the Headmaster stemmed from but it was worrying him. What Lily had said before about Dumbledore when he rebuffed her, somehow made sense the more he thought about it. He was sure that Sirius' thought the same, even with the many times he agreed with Dumbledore during the numerous Order meetings that had taken place thereafter the Prophecy meeting.
James knew he was right since he sometimes caught Sirius looking at Dumbledore with what he considered calculating stares if he didn't smile so much. Really, Sirius ought to learn how to do subtle, if he didn't want Dumbledore to catch wind of his suspicion. But that wasn't what shocked him. It was because the medic revealed that Lily was pregnant.
Pregnant.
He was surprised to find himself awake rather than unconscious after that news. He mentally patted himself on the back. He wanted to tell Dumbledore this wonderful news, but she insisted he didn't. Who was he to refuse the pleas of his wonderful Lily, who was with child? He asked why though however she remained tight-lipped on the matter until Remus and Sirius were here.
James threw a handful of Floo powder at the fireplace and the flames flared a bright green. He said 'Sirius abode' and asked for said man if he had free time and if he could go through the Floo as Lily had something to say to the three of them. He did the same to Remus and soon they were both standing in front of James; their faces silently inquiring if Lily was fine. He nodded to assure them, turned around and headed towards his wife.
Upon arriving, Lily's gaze swept around the room and motioned for them to sit at the plush Gryffindor red and gold sofa. The atmosphere grew tenser as they sat, encompassing them with its ruthless embrace and swamping them with nerves. Finally, Remus asked.
"What's the matter Lily?"Remus bit his lip, his eyes narrowed in worry. "Suddenly you and James head to a medic to get you checked upon and then come back with James looking constipated. So what is it really?" The werewolf asked.
Lily just sat there; drinking her glass primly, her mouth pursed as if she had swallowed a dozen lemons. Then she placed her cup of tea down and looked at them – James and Sirius – with unnerving intensity.
"Oh nothing is wrong about me, rather, something is wrong about them," Lily said airily whilst pointing her forefinger at James and Sirius direction. "And their unwavering trust for the manipulating old codger." She sneered.
"Lily, don't tell me this is about Dumbledore again?" James said exasperated.
Remus scowled. "I don't see why it all seems inconceivable to you James. Is your trust in Lily so shallow?" The dark creature stated with his eyes narrowed suspiciously.
James stayed silent; not rising to the bait, however if one was to watch him carefully you'd see his hands trembling with barely-restrained fury. He remained stoic in a way only Purebloods can.
Remus smiled coldly. "Or maybe it's because Dumbledore is the last person connecting you to your parents after they so tragically died at the hands of You-Know-Who, trying to protect you. With Dorea and Charlus facing the madman like true Gryffindors even when Dorea wasn't one, and died for you at the insistence of Dumbledore that it was all for the greater good, their sacrifice that is." He grinned, smug outwardly though inwardly he was grimacing at his choice of words but he knew James had to let go of his hero-worship of their old headmaster and see him for the manipulating man that he is.
Lily and Sirius were looking at him as if they just saw him for the very first time when James snapped. "What do you know?! Your parents were unable to take care of you turned into a bloody werewolf so you'd never understand that he's the only one closer to me as a father than anyone else!" James screamed, and then paled when he realized his mistake.
Remus froze. Anger raged something fierce within him but he squelched it ruthlessly. It wouldn't do to lose composure when there were more important things to worry about than his parents, he thought bitterly. He was at fault anyway.
Remus shook himself out of his depressing thoughts. "Yes, I wouldn't know, would I?" James paled even further. "But that is not what we were going to be talking about, right Lily?" He asked this one to Lily, his cold demeanour towards James shocked even him for he didn't think himself capable.
Lily and Sirius – who surprisingly stayed silent while James and Remus exchanged greetings - glanced towards each other. Lily straightened herself. "James did you even think before you decided to tell Dumbledore about our child?" She asked her husband.
James shook his head.
"Well then let me tell you." She said. "You were just about to condemn our child into a world of suffering with two massive power players ready to take our child out at a moment's notice should he/she show immense magical aptitude." James visibly cowered at her reprimanding glare, feeling like a child in front of his mother who was currently giving him a verbal lashing.
Sirius, who had been silent the whole time, spoke up. "Are you implying Lily, that Dumbledore is one of the two power players in the chess board beside You-Know-Who?" He asked wearily as if waiting for Lily to blow up on him.
Lily's eye twitched, apparently she noticed that too. "Yes!" She said exasperated and threw her arms in the air. "Trelawney just made a prophecy about a child having the power to defeat Voldemort," She ignored their flinches, "and we can't have that!" She shouted. Remus winced. Sitting beside Lily while having this discussion to James and Sirius wasn't the best idea he ever had.
Sirius snarled. "You mean to say we should just let You-Know-Who, a Dark Lord win the war?!" The Grimm animagus bellowed.
Lily's eyes widened. "Merlin's beard! No! Of course not, how could you insinuate that a Muggleborn like me would support someone like him?! He's loathes muggles for Merlin's sake!" She grumbled whilst giving him a glare.
James nodded at Lily and frowned at Sirius. "Yeah! How could you Sirius? Lily wouldn't be caught doing that. Right Lils? Lils?" He asked his wife repeatedly when she remained silent.
Lily steeled herself. "Yes but I must tell you Sirius and James, I do support some of Voldemort's ideas," This time, the trio barely stopped themselves from flinching.
"WHAT?! You can't be serious Lily?" James and Sirius asked incredulously, feeling betrayed by Lily. They looked at Remus, asking the werewolf to side with them, but deflated when Remus shook his head.
Lily chuckled mirthlessly. "Yes I'm serious, not you Sirius." She glared at said man who was just about to open his mouth. "I support the ones about equality towards every magical creature, the permission for use of High magics and to lift the ban on all types of magic that aren't even relatively dark." She said.
"Wha – Lily you can't –" James spluttered while Sirius just gaped at her like she had grown a second head. Why were they so surprised? She hinted it to them couple of times before she gave it up as a lost cause. They didn't even seem to register her dislike of the Ministry's ban on High magics. Personally she thought it was utterly stupid of the Ministry to ban every single thing – be it magic or traditions – just to please Muggleborns who indirectly were the main perpetuators of this war.
Lily gave her husband a look. "James," She sighed. "I know that it's hard for you to let go of someone who's the only remaining connection you have with your parents but you have to see beyond that to truly understand not everything Voldemort did had evil intentions behind it. Please, just listen and understand." Lily pleaded with desperate eyes.
James nodded hesitantly before looking contemplative. He replayed every raid that Voldemort had conducted and who he had targeted during said raids; since he was a member of the Order, he knew who were assaulted by Death Eaters and who weren't no matter what the Prophet wrote. His eyes widened. Now that he thought about it every single one that Voldemort has eliminated were government officials who were unjust to magical creatures, like werewolves. There were also officials whom they attacked that supported the ban of High magics or Dark magics as many people started to call it. James knew that Dark magic was not truly evil as people made it out to be and he knew it firsthand due to his mother being a Black.
He shook of the cloud of depression hanging over his head and moaned sorrowfully whilst putting his head on his palms. "I – You're right Lily. I'm sorry I didn't hear you out before." James amended. "How could I have been so – so – SO STUPID?" He questioned himself, his words muffled in his hands.
"There, there my love." Lily soothed her husband, embracing him. "You wouldn't have known. He has been playing this game far longer than we have. We just started you know?" Her words were warm and kind; a trenchant of guilt shot through James core, he should have listened since they were in this together. As if Lily felt it, she hugged him tighter, burrowing him deeper into her embrace.
James made a sound of appreciation before his face flushed and he hesitantly pushed Lily's arms away from him to face his friends. They were looking at him with amusement as he tried to will his blush away, but it was to no avail. It seemed to be stuck like paint for now.
Lily looked at him fondly and shook her head grinning when James coughed. "Err, so obviously I'm beside my wife's irrefutable claim." He said embarrassed. "Where will you guys be then?" He asked with his gaze averted from Lily's who was smug beside him.
Sirius snorted. "Isn't it obvious? Were on your side you dolt! We can't leave you alone, who knows what kind of trouble you might bring upon yourself without the jaw-dropping, ennobled Sirius Black." The Grim animagus boasted, flicking his wavy black hair to the side; taking on a pureblood snobbish look that brought the trio into bouts of uncontrollable laughter.
Lily snorted. "It's a good thing you aren't anything like Lucius though you certainly looked like Narcissa." She grinned.
Sirius turned ashen whilst James wiped tears off his eyes. "Yeah, the snobbish look really suited you Sirius; I nearly didn't recognize you there." Mirth danced behind his eyes.
The Grim animagus paled even further when Remus didn't say anything and just grinned.
"Oh come on! You're kidding right? Tell me you're kidding!" He exclaimed a panicky look entering his eyes.
"Don't worry Sirius, we won't tattle on you, were your friends after all." Remus grinned mischievously at Sirius.
Sirius looked horrified.
James and Lily looked supportingly at the werewolf.
Remus grinned wolfishly. "I'm a Marauder first and foremost, and for that I've got a reputation to maintain."
Sirius groaned with his head on his hands as Lily continued where they left off.
Five days has passed, Order Headquarters, England, somewhere . . .
Blazing heat spanned throughout the room from the window as several wizards and witches gathered around the esteemed Headmaster of Hogwarts, who was sipping his honeyed tea calmly whilst popping a lemon drop in his mouth.
He let his gaze wander towards the Longbottoms who informed him of particularly good news that ensured the security of the Wizarding world and his place. He didn't feel the least guilty at forcing this responsibility to a mere babe who wasn't even aware of the events occurring outside its mother's womb. It cannot be helped, it was all for the greater good after all. The greater good of Albus Dumbledore.
Frank Longbottom coughed sharply pulling Dumbledore out of his musings as he smiled benignly at his minions – err followers and twinkled at them. "My dears, I have gathered you here today to tell you this indelible news –"
"Albus, get on with it." Mood said waspishly.
Dumbledore chuckled. "Yes, well the Longbottoms have a new addition in their family. I trust you know what this means?" The Headmaster stated whilst looking at them at the rim of his glasses, his eyes twinkling with a knowing light.
Dumbledore's gaze swept around the room, stopping at the Potters and the Marauders. They were looking at him with unreadable eyes and though he did not show it, he felt unnerved as they continued to stare at him as if he were an interesting potions ingredient. Finally they turned away, whispering to themselves quietly, completely ignoring the other occupants of the room.
Albus felt his curiosity rise but brushed it aside in favour of observing the various exclamations of gratitude and congratulations that were directed to the Longbottoms. Moody looked out of place with his brows furrowed deeply and a massive scowl upon his face.
James coughed, capturing everyone's attention. "Err, sorry to interrupt the jaunty atmosphere but," He hesitated. "Albus this means Alice and Franks' child is the prophesised child, isn't it?" The stag animagus asked.
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, as woeful am I to admit, this child will be hunted for what he has as long as he is alive." Everyone nodded, unsure of what this was about for they already guessed it after they heard it.
The Headmaster sighed. Suddenly looking a decade older as wrinkled lines became much more prominent on his face. "My boy, I must tell you this but a spy regrettably heard the first three sentences of the prophecy and undoubtly Voldemort has already been informed and is preparing to strike once the opportunity presents itself." He said whilst closing his eyes. He had to close his eyes to prevent himself from glaring the bloody hell at his followers. Damn that Severus Snape! He knew he should have watched him closely, ever since his falling out with Lily he began venturing towards the Dark.
Everyone froze as the implications of this news ingrained itself on their thoughts, swirling until that was all they could think of. Various sanguinary scenes flitted through their minds, each one inflicting them in deeper state of panic.
Moody roared, shocking everyone into silence. "Quit your incessant hollering!" He snapped. "Instead of yapping like mutts, think of ways to prevent the Dark Lord from ever killing the brat! That should occupy your thoughts awhile." The Auror grumbled irritatedly sitting down.
Alice, who was the most panicked of them all, nodded thus surprising everyone. "Moody is right. What should we do Albus?" She questioned, worriedly biting her lip. The Headmaster looked thoughtfully at them.
"Mmm… The Fidelius charm should do the trick as well as a few warding charms created by myself on Longbottom Manor." said Albus, stroking his long white beard.
"Well," Moody said. "I can cast some of the wards Albus while you do the Fidelius on the entrance of the manor." The Auror agreed gruffly. Chatter filled the room once again as they supplied ways to help the Longbottoms' security.
They planned some more before retiring for the night, unknowing of what the future had in store. . .
Godric's Cottage, Potter Cottage, England . . .
"So," Lily started. "How come you believe me now?" She asked the werewolf who was sitting across her, eating biscuits and sipping tea.
Remus paused. After he had left that day, he sought out Albus and asked him carefully constructed questions and every single answer made his stomach sink deeper. He continued to smile and nod as if he believed everything the Headmaster said about the why's of his actions.
He made his decision then and he promptly left after refusing a lemon pop, who knows what Dumbledore has been putting there. Remus shrugged at Lily's question. "I found enough evidence that the Headmaster really wasn't what we believed him to be." He said.
Lily nodded while pursing her lips. "I never thought it'd be true." She sighed. "We were idiots for following him, aren't we?" She said.
"Yeah." Remus agreed distractedly.
Three months after the meeting at Order Headquarters, Diagon Alley, Charing Cross Road, England . . .
The Alley was filled to the brim with hopeful Hogwarts' students – both magical and Muggleborn - who gazed at the alley with awe. There were shops selling robes, shops selling telescopes and strange silver instruments that they didn't understand what for and windows stacked with barrels of bat spleens and eels' eyes, tottering piles of spell books, quills, and rolls of parchment, potion bottles, and globes of the moon. A plump woman outside an Apothecary was shaking her head as the many muggleborns and purebloods passed, saying, "Dragon liver, Twenty-five Sickles an ounce, they're mad..."
Lily gazed at the muggleborns fondly, remembering the times when she too had no idea what the wizarding world expected of her. She passed by them, carrying a myriad of sweets from Honeydukes that she was craving more and more by the minute. She walked down the alley's cobbled steps and turning towards the Leaky Cauldron to Floo home.
Nobody was aware of her slightly swelling stomach which was hidden behind glamour to prevent the Order – Dumbledore from ever knowing the existence of her daughter. Once she entered the pub, she was greeted by a bubbly innkeeper. "Hullo Mrs. Potter you are looking as fiery as always! How are you this fine afternoon by the way?" He smiled as he hurried out from behind the bar and lead her towards a table.
"Fine enough Tom, and you?" Lily said as she sat down a chair.
"Mighty jolly Mrs. Potter, the usual?" Asked the bubbly old man.
Lily smiled. "Call me Lily, Tom dear and yes the usual please." She confirmed as he placed the Butterbeer on her table.
Lily covertly placed a hand on her stomach. "Hello little one," she whispered, smiling softly when her daughter kicked her hand. Her attention was pulled away as Tom placed her meal on the table.
As she ate, she thought about the events the past months. Her morning sickness grew better after two months and she found herself eating more that she felt disgusted outwardly and delighted inwardly. She found herself in constant change of emotions that she found herself crying over being unable to stop eating even when it was imperative to do so. James had assured her that she was beautiful during pregnancy as she was carrying his child and that he wasn't at all having second thoughts about her. It had calmed her somewhat before something else occupied her thoughts and made her emotions ran rampant.
Today she was relaxing on one of her favourite spots in the wizarding world, watching as children and grownups went by, some greeting her and some not. She quickly finished her meal and stood up to walked aimlessly around Diagon Alley, only stopping to check out new items in varied shops.
When she was preparing to go home via Portkey, she caught a glimpse of Trelawney. 'That was odd,' she thought. Nobody else was at this area save for her since these types of places were common apparition points that weren't normally visited, 'unless you were a couple and went here for a quick snogging session.' She blushed and shook her head to pull it out of the gutter, she was an adult not a hormonal teenage girl, she thought with a scowl.
She ran after Trelawney and found her just up ahead. Lily smiled and tapped her on the shoulder. Sybill jerked away, surprised as she looked at Lily. "Oh who are you?" The seer asked vapidly.
"I'm Lily Potter, nice to make your acquaintance Ms. Trelawney. I've heard all about you." Lily said sweetly.
"I know who you are Mrs. Potter." Sybill said whilst fixing her glasses. "Err, is there something you need Mrs. Potter, my schedule is quite full you see." She said apologetically.
"Oh, no reason. I simply wanted to meet the new professor of Divination at Hogwarts." Lily answered. "Have you enjoyed your stay thus far?" The Potter matriarch asked.
"Yes, indeed." Sybill nodded enthusiastically. "Professor Dumbledore has been very helpful, and the students as well though they do not really have any knack for Divination." She said as Lily's expression darkened at 'Dumbledore', she didn't notice for Lily's face devoid of all emotion. "Well they do but not as much as me of course!" Trelawney quickly assured her, daring her to think otherwise.
"I see." Lily said distractedly. "You must be busy so I'll be on my way then." She smiled softly. "Goodbye Ms. Trelawney, it has been a pleasure." She turned, ready to leave; her mood turned dour at the mention of Dumbledore.
"Goodbye then Mrs. Potter, the pleasure is mine." Sybill said then she abruptly went silent, going into a trance just as Lily was about to utter the Portkey password.
"Heroine from a far-off realm long lost . . . Once ensconced by Fate tightly held, no longer . . . born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies. . . will bear the mark of Zeus, embraced by Death itself . . . The arms of Horologium shall turn counter-clockwise . . . Her parturition will mark the ascension of Hecate Herself . . . and shall stand beside the Kin of Hercules . . . The Bumblebee's domain of lies will crumble . . . And the Son of Käärme and Lady Death personified shall reign inevitably supreme . . ."
Lily froze. She slowly turned to look at Trelawney whose eyes were glazed unseeing. The words of the prophecy rang loudly in Lily's ears. Who might that unfortunate child be? Then the word daughter broke through her frenzied thoughts and she gasped. 'Not if I say anything about it.' she thought; her eyes hardening to glacial emeralds. 'But we can't be too sure, maybe my child is the one in that prophecy or maybe not. Its best to look out for it, to be safe.' She thought grimly.
She grasped the Portkey in her neck tied by a chain and said clearly. "Marauders." She didn't check if Trelawney was okay for she had more pressing matters to attend to.
If her daughter was the other hope of the wizarding world and Dumbledore was the downfall of it, Lily swore she would stand by her daughter's side till her very last breath. No matter what it takes.
Godric's Hollow, Potter Cottage, England . . .
The current occupants of Potter Cottage were in frenzy. James felt inadequate to protect his daughter, even when there was a possibility that it wasn't his daughter at all. Lily felt like wringing her hands to Dumbledore's neck. Sirius was on the rack. Remus was brainstorming, trying to translate the prophecy that might be pertaining his best mates' daughter or not. All in all, it was a normal day at the Potter Cottage.
Remus suddenly stood up, causing the trio to splutter and fall on their bums in surprise. "I've got it!" The werewolf shouted in glee.
Sirius scowled whilst rubbing his arse that took the brunt of pain when Remus had a Lumos light up above his head. "What is it?" He asked wearily.
"I have no idea what the first part means so we can only guess as to what it could mean." Remus said hurriedly. "BUT! The 'Her parturition will mark the ascension of Hecate Herself' must mean the day she, whoever she is, will be born will mark the rise of the era of magic." He said firmly.
James wearily ran a hand through his hair. "We've figured that part out Remus, thank you." He sighed. "But what is worrying is the part stating that she is embraced by death and Horologium." The Potter patriarch said.
Sirius grunted. "Well, it must mean she has the power over death . . ." The Grimm animagus trailed off.
Remus' head shot up. "Have you guys heard of the story of The Three Brothers?" He asked.
Lily, who kept silent before shifted in her seat. "Yes. I read about the three objects bestowed upon the Brothers by Death when they cunningly escaped him, that once brought together you will have a measure of control over Death. It's merely a legend though." She too sighed as James put his arms around her.
"That's just it. That story is a wizarding story Lily. It's possible it might be true." The werewolf sat down beside Sirius.
"Yes," She whispered. "It might be." A tear fell down her cheek.
Five months later, Surrey, Privet Drive, England . . .
After the initial shock of having heard another prophecy and this time for an unknown person or worse Lily's daughter, they made a fool proof plan to escape Dumbledore's sights. They decided on hiding in the muggle world since it was uncommon for magicals to frolic in let alone hide. They planned for Lily to meet Petunia and convince her to hide Lily for six months to the last month of her pregnancy, after that she was a free mother.
Remus accompanied during the meeting with Petunia to see if she would pull any shots. None whatsoever, though as Moody says CONSTANT VIGILANCE! Lily and Petunia might be capable of seeing eye to eye for once since Petunia was also pregnant herself; it should mellow her out marginally.
Right now though Remus and Lily found themselves on the suburbs of Privet Drive, whose houses were so near to the others they could easily eavesdrop on some meeting by a window. The streets were bare of life due to the scorching heat the sun was emitting as they walked on the sidewalks of the eerily silent streets.
Lily stopped, panting as Remus handed her a jug of water. She drank it greedily for fear of the heat evaporating the liquid. Remus heaved a sigh while he looked on the seemingly never ending lots of houses on each sidewalk.
Remus took the jug of water once she finished and put it in her Dragonhide shoulder bag; he steadied her when she swayed dangerously as the sun beat furiously on their backs.
"Come on Lily, were nearly there and hopefully Petunia will be kind enough to give you a glass of water. Come." Remus urged pulling her towards the Lot with the 'four' sign. Lily nodded imperceptively as she held on Remus. They advanced towards the nondescript door, Remus knocked while Lily leaned on the wall trying to catch her breath.
Remus heard the soft steps of Petunia due to his werewolf senses and warned Lily to straighten herself. Finally the door opened to present Petunia. "Oh I'm sor –" She stopped, her eyes growing infinitesimally larger until it narrowed. "What are you doing here?!" Petunia whispered harshly.
Lily flinched and Remus growled. "Lily needs your help, so if you would kindly step aside and kindly let her in." The werewolf growled and Petunia stepped aside in fear as she looked on at Lily.
Dear God, she looked awful. Lily's red hair stuck to her face as beads of sweat dropped down her neck. She was parched and swaying on her feet; Petunia reached out an arm and caught her before she fell; led her towards the couch on the parlour and lay her there.
Petunia went to the, took a glass and filled it with water then hurried to her side. She thrust the glass in Lily's face and watched her sister intently. When Lily had put her glass down, Petunia bit her lip. "What happened to you?" She looked at them suspiciously. "If its those Death Eater people, then leave." She said firmly.
"Tuney," Lily started.
"Don't," Petunia gritted her teeth. "call me that." She said coldly, her eyes as hard as diamonds.
Lily sighed. "Petunia in case you haven't noticed, I'm eight months pregnant." She said.
Petunia raised an eyebrow.
"And there is a man more dangerous than a Death Eater watching our every move in our home." Lily bit her lip. "CanI stay in your home for a month just until I birth my daughter, please?" She hesitantly asked.
"Who in their right mind would want to house someone like you?" Petunia snapped.
Remus stiffened as Lily grimaced. "If you had a heart, you would take your sister in without demur Petunia otherwise you would be a bad mother." Remus bit out coldly.
Petunia flinched and Lily glared at him. "Remus! Stop giving her anymore reason to hate us." She scolded.
Remus' jaw tightened but he nodded curtly and decided to ignore Petunia lest Moony lash out.
"Look," Lily sighed. "I know this is sudden and belated but …" She muttered unintelligibly under her breath.
Petunia gave her a confused look. "What? Speak up Lily!" She said impatiently.
"Imsosorry," Lily breathed out, closing her eyes resignedly as if waiting for a nasty retort.
Petunia's breath hitched. For all the things her sister could say, why did she pick that? She wearily rubbed a hand on her face, and slumped tiredly. Really. "Lily… I – I don't know what to say." She sighed and stared out the window; Lily gazed at her sadly. "Look, I'll let you stay but don't expect me to suddenly like magic." Petunia relented and Lily beamed whilst Remus relaxed slightly.
Remus looked around the Dursleys parlour perplexedly. "Petunia, where's your husband?" He asked.
"Oh," Petunia laid a hand on her stomach. "He's at work. He'll be back this late afternoon." She replied. Then suddenly she stiffened. "Lily, you do know that Vernon dislikes magic as well?" Lily nodded an affirmative. "Well, you might have to live in the nearest hotel awhile. I doubt he'd let you in no matter what you say." She gave Lily a sympathetic look but never moved from her spot.
Lily and Remus nodded. "I guess I'll find a hotel for us then." Remus smiled at Petunia warily as he moved towards the door to leave and search for a hotel.
Lily and Petunia spent an hour talking about mundane things when Remus arrived and led both women to the acquired hotel. They wandered around awhile before Petunia reminded them that Vernon might be home by then. Petunia promised to return and help her during her pregnancy; she turned to leave but not before giving them a weak smile.
After that, Petunia alternated between both places to help Lily with her growing child and bonding with her, trying to repair the damage done from their time apart. It was not without downsides as they often found themselves arguing over the smallest things, further fuelled by their raging pregnancy hormones.
Five weeks before Lily's due date, Petunia gave birth to a healthy baby boy whom she named Dudley. Lily visited Petunia surreptitiously whilst Vernon was out and helped Tuney with handling Dudley. When asked by Petunia, she would shrug and reply that she needed the experience though they both knew this was not the case.
A few days later, Lily's water broke. And they panicked.
London Private Hospital, Surrey, England . . .
"AH!" Lily screamed when she did as told by Dr. Campbell who told her to push. Her breath came out in short pants and she screamed hoarsely. Her contraptions ended hours ago and it seemed that her daughter was bidding her time on who knows what.
Petunia was waiting outside the emergency room wringing her hand nervously as she cradled a fussy Dudley on her chest. They had panicked for quite awhile before Lily remembered her two way mirrors and called on the Marauders who were also waiting with her outside the room.
James paced worriedly in front of the door while covertly sneaking glances at it. He felt frightened and didn't want to hear her screaming in pain. He felt like a coward but seriously, who won't be afraid when you wife was screaming obscenities at you and threatening your life.
Remus and Sirius looked on amusedly. They weren't the slightest bit worried for they knew Lily would be fine as well as the baby. They had left hurriedly after the delivery of the news and they had a feeling that Dumbledore was suspicious of them for some time now ever since Lily's disappearance from the wizarding world.
Sirius piped up. "James, stop pacing or you'll burn a hole through the floor." The Grimm animagus grinned as James threw him a dirty glare. Remus choked a chuckle and Petunia smiled softly at them. Suddenly, the emergency doors were thrown open and Dr. Campbell strode out looking tired but accomplished.
As soon as the quartet saw this, they heaved a relieved sigh. Remus and Sirius clapped James on the back and Petunia gave him a reassuring smile as they swamped the doctor with questions regarding her health. Dr. Campbell laughed. "Yes she is fine Messrs Potter, Lupin and Black, and Mrs. Dursley." She smiled. "She has birthed a healthy baby girl. Would you like to see them now?" She asked.
They nodded and led them inside. They were greeted by a tired looking Lily and in her arms cradled a small bundle of pink blankets that James knew was his daughter. James felt tears well up in his eyes but did not pay them any mind as he approached the mother of his child with an unsteady gait.
James stopped in front of Lily who was smiling softly at him. "Lily I –" He stuttered and swallowed. "Thank you for this wonderful gift, thank you!" He whispered and Lily nodded understandingly; he reached for his daughter with trembling arms. The quartet watching them smiled softly.
He cradled his daughter gingerly in his arms. His breath hitched at the sight of his daughter. She had midnight black hair, moonlight porcelain skin; she had the childish aristocratic nose and facial structure of Blacks, a rosy chubby face, and pouty cupid-bow lips. She was breathtaking.
He felt like he was staring at a younger Dorea Black in his arms. Merlin, wasn't that hilarious! He laughed tearfully and leaned down to kiss her nose. He then proceeded to kiss Lily passionately and thankfully to convey his appreciation and happiness.
A thought occurred to him, and he leaned back to look at his wife. "What are we going to call her by?" He asked seriously. The Remus, Sirius and Petunia were standing beside him now whilst the doctor left to give them space they needed for this moment.
Lily scrunched her nose in thought. "Cedrella Amaryllis," She said resolutely as she looked at her daughters sleeping face. James gazed at them fondly. "Cedrella Amaryllis Potter," the names flowed freely on his tongue. "I like it." James grinned.
Then magic spanned throughout the room with the force of a dam breaking.
Sorry for the delay! Thanks for reading guys! R & R! This has been reedited!
-FreyaClaire