Up To No Good

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Harry.

It was the boys' name they'd decided on, though it would be long before the baby actually arrived. James liked the idea of a simple, easy name; he himself lived with the burden of his middle name being Fleamont and wouldn't have his son or daughter deal with a ridiculous name.

Being married to a Muggle-born was how James learned a lot more about the Muggle world. Originally, he'd suggested coming up with a girls' name as well, but instead she'd scheduled what she'd called an ultrasound at a Muggle pregnancy clinic. He was mostly unable to control his fascination and gaped as the technician had actually shown pictures of their unborn child on a little screen and told them that they were going to have a son.

James swore that Harry James Potter was going to have the best life a child could have.

They were heading to the Dursleys' that afternoon. Petunia, too, was pregnant, though she was further along than Lily. Neither of them were looking forward to it, and neither were the Muggles, no doubt—it was more or less a courtesy visit. They'd hardly seen each other since their run-in at the restaurant.

The tension between James and Vernon was undoubtedly the worst of it. While he'd certainly matured since Hogwarts, James still had a habit of ignorance and disregard for Muggle culture, while Vernon was the haughtiest man he'd ever met. At least he could hope that the Muggle didn't ask him anything about cars.

Alice and Frank Longbottom were expecting, too, which was perhaps even more exciting. They talked about bringing up their sons in magical households, about what they might do together once their children arrived, and it seemed Lily and Alice were already planning their sons' birthday parties for each other. In these dark times, it was one of the few joys that sparked hope in the Order of the Phoenix. Benjiy's murder as well as seeing the face of the Dark Lord himself had shaken many of them in ways they thought impossible.

Thankfully, it seemed to help Sirius through as well.

Number Four, Privet Drive was as boring a residence as any, James thought. The closely-cropped lawn and the perfect brass number on the door seemed too... sterile. Lily knocked, and the door was promptly answered by Vernon Dursley, so quickly that it seemed he'd been standing directly behind the door.

"Good afternoon," James inclined his head.

"Pleasure," Vernon replied shortly. He gestured them both inside, where they each took their seats on the couch. Petunia provided a brief wave from the dining table, where she sipped on a cup of tea.

"How are you, Lily?" Petunia asked of her sister. 

"I'm well," Lily replied.

"Vernon's just taken up a new job," Petunia answered her, which was clearly something she'd been preparing to say. "A drill business called Grunnings. Isn't that exciting?"

James nodded in agreement.

"And what about you?" Vernon asked him quizzically, noticing his reaction. "Do you have a real job yet, or are you still living off your inheritance?"

"I--we're pretty well off," James admitted. "I assure you we've plenty of money between us to support a family."

"You said you've been providing for a friend, is that correct?" Petunia asked him. "Is it true he's homeless? I heard me might have..." Petunia dropped her voice. "Gotten into illegal substances."

So this is what they'd been wanting. To challenge him, once more. James barely contained his anger.

"Moony--Remus isn't homeless," James replied, making his confidence clear. "And I am happy to provide him with what he needs. We've been close friends since we were kids. I'd never let him go hungry."