The Girl Who Lied || Draco Malfoy

The Preface

July 31, 1980

James Potter wasn't sure which woman was more tired.

On one hand, there was Mary MacDonald. Old school friend, Hufflepuff, fellow Order member, and healer-in-training. She stood at the foot of the bed, downing a potion. James didn't know potions by the color like Lily did; however, he was sure that whatever it was, it was single handedly in charge of keeping Mary on her feet and alert. A brief look of nervousness crossed over Mary's face before determination set in. This was the second birth she had ever assisted in her healing career – the first being the Longbottom baby that she pulled out of Alice Longbottom only an hour before.

On the other hand there was Lily, who was currently giving birth. If it was a contest on tiredness, James would have to give the winning spot to Lily sheerly out of fear. In that moment, Lily shot him a fierce glare from the birthing bed he had transfigured from the kitchen table, as if she could read his mind. He tried to smile at her in an encouraging manner but this seemed to only enrage her more. Best stay quiet, he thought, as he continued his hold on her hand.

James himself also felt quite tired, but he'd never dare mention it in front of these amazing women who had every right to be more exhausted than him. Before Mary had gotten here, James had acted as midwife for Lily. His friends would ridicule him if they knew, but he was glad he read all of Lily's pregnancy books that she bought. He knew what pain spells she was allowed during birth and what breathing patterns Lily needed to do and how to check her dilation. There had even been a moment right before Mary arrived, still covered in Alice's blood, that James was sure he would have to be the one catching the babies. And, scarily, he had been ready for it.

But, thankfully for Lily, Mary had shown. "Looks like I'm just in time. You're fully dilated," Mary said as she looked between Lily's open legs. Lily didn't seem bothered; modesty had flown out the window hours ago. Mary looked up at Lily with a cheeky smile that reminded him of their pre-war days. "You ready, Miss First-Time-Mummy?"

Lily squeezed James' hand as she panted. Fuck that hurts and she hasn't even started pushing, he thought. "Yes. You ready, Miss Six-Months-Training?"

"Yes. Look, now we're both liars," Mary joked. She clapped her hands together, as if it would make this next part more enjoyable. "Okay, let's do this. 1 2 3, push!"

Over Lily's screams and Mary's encouraging words, James heard their front door slam open. "Shit," he breathed, pulling his hand out of Lily's grip and fumbling for his wand. "Shit, shit, shit," he mumbled as he made his way to the kitchen door. He pointed his wand carefully, on alert, ready to stun whoever came through.

"Sorry I'm late!" Sirius yelled as he threw open the door, ducking just in time to miss James' stunner. The spell made contact with the door frame, leaving a scorch mark. Lily's going to kill me when she sees that; thank Merlin she's preoccupied. Sirius smirked at James before straightening up and shrugging off his Auror robes at the kitchen door. Much like Mary, he was also covered in blood. His, however, was not birthing related. Probably. "Protective much, Prongsie? Got held up at the attack on St. Mungos. Red was right, like always. Now where's my godchildren?"

A smile slowly crept up James face but he didn't let himself move from his position blocking the kitchen door, his wand still pointed at Sirius. "What did you tell me seventh year after Flinch confiscated our joke parchment?"

Sirius rolled his eyes. "You need to stop spending time with Moody. He's my boss, not yours. First off it was a map, not a joke parchment. And I said that getting the map will be the next generation of Marauder's initiation. I didn't think you'd take me seriously and start popping out the next generation so soon!" James shoulders relaxed, his wand lowering, and Sirius used this moment to push past him and walk into the kitchen.