The Stag and The Harpy | James Potter

Merlin

"I'll get it!"

Phoebe slaps a hand to cover her face, nearly spouting off curse words as James rushes to grab the kettle from her hand and hurry to the stove. He says worriedly, "Sit down, love. Molly said you should be resting."

Phoebe smiles sweetly at her husband, but internally she wants to wring his neck. And Molly, and Lily. And Minnie and Albus. Sodding fools all knew she was pregnant before she'd even considered it.

The Veela reluctantly sits down, reminding herself that James was just trying to be helpful. Her heart softens slightly when he leaves the kettle at the stove and walks over to her. He appraised her stony face before smiling sheepishly and offering, "I love you?"

He bites back a triumphant cry when he sees her lips twitching, instead bending down to press his lips to hers briefly. He pulls back despite her noise of protest, asking seriously, "Have you had anything to eat?"

"Merlin," Phoebe says, ignoring him and lifting her head to the sky. "If you're listening, please save me."

James frowns and says firmly, "Phoebe, I'm just trying to help."

She softens and feels a twinge of guilt, quickly reaching out to grab his hand. He looks down at her blankly and she realizes her error. He was just trying to help, and he felt helpless. The Veela stands despite his quickness to protest.

"James," she says gently. He looks away from her, jaw clenched tight. She smiles slightly and grabs his other hand, slipping it under her jumper to rest against her bare stomach. She watches the tension leave him, sees the way his eyes fill with longing and affection. She needed to help him too. This was a start.

"I'm doing fine, you know? I'm halfway through the first trimester and I'm perfectly on track. So is the baby."

James offers a stiff nod, slowly relaxing and moving his fingers across her abdomen. 10 weeks now. And he was scared, scared that he wouldn't be able to protect his wife and his child when it was born. So he was starting now, making sure she was comfortable, making sure she didn't want for anything.

His lips twitch into a hesitant smile and he grumbles, "Sorry, I'm just worried about you."

"Don't worry about me," Phoebe reassures, shuffling closer. James sighs and hunches down to rest his forehead against hers, saying, "I'm always worried about you, Bee."

She snorts, pinching his side, "The feeling is mutual, Potter. Now relax. I'm pregnant, not gravely injured."

They both jump when they hear clattering behind them. James' eyes widen and Phoebe winces, hiding her face in his chest.

Remus stands stunned in the doorway, the books he was carrying laying on the floor. Sirius gapes from beside him, jaw slack and eyes practically falling from his head. Peter has gone horribly pale just beside Sirius, his body stiff and lips pressed into a tight line.

"Did you just say pregnant?" Remus asks slowly, staring at the frozen couple. James awkwardly scratches the back of his neck before looking to Phoebe. She looks at him expectantly, gasping when he says uncomfortably, "It's your kid. You tell them."

Her eyes narrow and he backs away slowly, grinning when she angrily mutters, "James Fleamont Potter, I swear on Merlin—"

"YOURE PREGNANT?!"

She stops abruptly at the shout, staring at Sirius like he's grown another head. Her nerves fade into amusement and affection when her best friend scrambles away from the other two Marauders, jumps over the table and pulls her into a tight hug.

"I'm going to be a godfather!" Sirius cries emotionally, leaving Phoebe to peer over his shoulder at James in confusion. He smirks and says, "It's true, love. He wouldn't give me his blessing to marry you unless I agreed."