The Waiting Game▬RL 1

St. Mungo's

Euphemia and Fleamont were an older couple. They had given up the idea of the family they had envisioned. Living life in a slow downfall of mental health. Often snapping at each other because of their failures, they drifted apart. Monty deeply missed his wife—the love of his life. She blamed herself, pushing him away and letting herself become a shadow of the person he married. He was entirely devoted to making her feel better after celebrating their thirtieth anniversary alone. The year of 1959 was one of their bests. They had fallen pregnant. Much to the couple's surprise and delight a little girl was born on March 27, 1960, shortly followed by a boy. Having had Renee and James when Mia was forty-eight and Monty fifty-one. Of course, the boy grew to be quite offended that he was the younger one. So, they switched up the story to appease him. Renee was perfectly fine with continuing the secret.

✿

"What's that Renny?" Eight-year-old James Potter asked his sister, peeking over her shoulder. Renee passed the book to her brother with a smirk on her mouth. She watched as he read it over. They sat on the floor of the library, cross-legged as he flipped through the book. "This is our baby book? I thought Mum and Dad lost it?" They had. Misplacing it when they had first moved into the Manor a month after the twins were born. After Fleamont's father fell ill.

"I just found it." She stated simply, shrugging her shoulders. James stared at her in disbelief, not fully accepting the answer.

"Mum said she went through the library tons of times. Even tried the Summoning charm in front of me." Renee knew if he kept thinking about it, he would likely conclude that this one was recently forged. So, she grabbed the book back, landing on the page she wanted him to see. Falsifying a large gasp. "What!?" He pulled it back into his lap and practically jumped up in joy.

"I guess you are the older one, Jamie." He settled back down next to her, a large grin evident on his lips. His glasses askew on his nose.

"You've always been more of the younger one anyway, Ren. My ickle sister!" He laughed and ran out to confront their parents.

✿

Dragon Pox was something Renee Potter wouldn't wish on her worst enemy. If she had one. The closest thing to an enemy she could think of would be the boy who spilled her Bertie Bott's on her first train ride to Hogwarts. But she couldn't hate Peter. Especially when he was running around ensuring the twins and Sirius had everything they needed. He had been distant recently; work and the Order took up everybody's time. However, he was making up for it. Pete had been conveniently visiting James and Lily when Sirius sent for them. He jumped at the opportunity to aid the family in any way. Currently, he was on his way to fetch Remus.

Ren and Sirius had arrived at the hospital an hour ago, Mia and Monty were carted off to the second floor—the 'Magical Bugs' ward. James paced the tearoom, his hands constantly running through his hair. It was now frizzy and sticking up in a way it never had before. Reminded Renny of when he was stressed about the fight between Sirius and Remus. This, however, did not compare to that situation. Renee was the opposite of her brother. She sat next to the Black, leaning her head on his shoulder. He petted it with the arm draped around her trying to soothe both young adults.

James hastily stood in front of his best friend, pulling him out of his trance. Sirius stopped his hand movement and tore his intense gaze from the wall, looking up to James. "Can we talk?" The bespeckled man pulled him up without an answer, causing Renny to lose her balance. Lily quickly took the seat beside her, allowing the woman to lean on her.

"I'm not ready for this, Lils." She whispered, closing her eyes to steady her breathing. Renee had always had a struggle with anxiety. Her hands and sometimes her arms would go numb and her lungs would cave in on themselves. Right now, her entire body was sensationless. The only thing she could feel was the repetitive thump of her heart. The thing that would inevitably shatter if things took a turn for the worse.

"They'll be okay, Ren. Your parents are strong. They're fighters. Not to mention the Healers are administering the cure right now." Lily didn't sound convincing and she knew it.

"Ren!" A calming voice called—Remus Lupin enters the fifth floor. He stopped dead in the doorway, causing Peter to walk into his back. Remus didn't stumble though. He stood sturdy, before taking long strides to the woman who had just gotten to her feet. The werewolf's hugs were always warm and made her feel safe. This is when Renee broke down. Shuttering sobs staggered through her lips; her body only being held up by his steady arms. "It's okay. Let it out, darling."

✿

"James, just wait until the Healers report back to us. We don't have to rush this. They could be fine." Lily argued, trying to keep her voice and tone under control. She faced off the taller man, trying to talk some sense into him. He took a step toward her, hands running over his face frustratedly. A large breath shook through his body.

"We haven't heard anything since we got here, three hours ago! They could be dead by tomorrow, Evans. I need them to be there." His voice raised, catching the attention of other visitors on the fifth floor. Lily's eyes began to water, her hand covering her mouth. She was taken aback by the sudden change in her fiancé. James was an even-tempered person unless his friends or family were at risk. Right now, he is not of sound mind. Renee watched the scene, gripping her wand in case she had to battle her twin. She knew he was hurting but if he said something to hurt the redhead she wouldn't hesitate. Remus eased a hand on her elbow, in a way to tell her to back off.

"We can't just barge into the second floor and demand that they witness our marriage right there! This is something we have been planning for a month. Having an impromptu wedding without all our friends and family is just absurd."

"We have the important ones, Lily. Why can't we? They could be gone! I can't do it... I can't lose them." He uttered out the last bit, head falling to face the floor. Lily let a hand fall to his cheek, having him look at her. James let tears erupt from his eyes. "Please marry me." The group of friends watched in agony as the 'Happy, loving James Potter' broke down. She took a moment to consider her next words.

"Wait a few hours and ask me again, love. I'll have Sirius and Peter talk to the Healers in case we must, alright?" One look at the two mentioned men and they rushed off. The floor was silent once again, apart from the ragged breathing of Mia and Monty's only son.