The Alternate | A Harry Potter Original Fanfiction by Ameliapondicus

Chapter 13

James woke up to find his wife staring at him. "Well, hello."

Lily smiled softly, and ran her fingers over his jaw. "Hi." Her hair was tangled only in the way a heavy sleep could do to you.

He grabbed her hand, and kissed the inside of her wrist. "How are you?" He asked, rubbing it gently.

Lily shrugged, and placed her hand on her stomach. "I've done better in mornings." Her stomach was indeed rolling a little bit, and she fought the nauseous feeling.

"Are you going to be okay?" James asked, concerned.

She breathed deeply, and soon her stomach settled. "Yeah, I think so."

They held each other's hands a bit, before Lily spoke. "I woke up in the middle of the night, and you weren't here."

James recalled the conversation he had with Remus and Sirius last night. "I went to grab a glass of water, and ended up talking to Moony and Padfoot," he said. "I may or may not have told them."

Lily rolled her eyes. "Did you at least swear them to secrecy?"

James scoffed. "Of course. I'm not stupid."

Lily laughed, and kissed him. "How'd they react?"

"Well," James began. "Remus was incredibly happy. Sirius was shocked that I had actually had sex with you."

Lily scowled mischievously. "Oh, that boy will get what he deserves."

"Lils," James said, serious. "Please don't harm the boy." He smiled once Lily collapsed into a fit of giggles.

"But seriously," he said, once she was breathless. "How long have you known you were pregnant?"

She turned and looked at him. His glasses were smudged a little in the corner, and his hair was sticking up funny. "About a week."

"How long was it going to be until you told me?"

Lily sighed. "I was going to tell you when we got back from Phil and Eloise's. But other events caused me to postpone my plan." She looked into his hazel eyes. "I was so scared, James."

"I know." He rubbed her back, and kissed her head. After thinking a moment, he cocked his head. "How far along are you, do you think?"

Lily shrugged. "I don't know. I think I'm near the end of my first trimester?

James did the math. "Wait till Harry is old enough to find out that his sibling was conceived on his fifth birthday."

Lily burst out laughing. "It's the best birthday present he's ever going to get."

************

"I think we'll be okay," Eloise said, giving Lily a hug. "The Order has promised to check up on us twice a week, and we've always wanted to live in France."

"Thank you so much for dinner that evening." James shook Phil's hand, and gave Eloise a hug as well. "We never really got to say that to you."

"Thank you, so, so much." Phil said. "You've introduced us to a whole new world. Thank you for trusting us with that."

Harry and Stephen were still hugging each other. "Harry," James said. "Stephen has to go now."

"Bye, Stephen." Harry said to his friend. He waved until their car had turned around the corner of the street.

"I miss him."

"We know, Harry." Lily knelt down and hugged her son. "We are so glad you and Stephen were such good friends."

Harry smiled at his mum, and then ran off to his room to play with some toys.

"He'll be fine." James said, and wrapped his arms around his wife, placing his hands on her belly. "He's a good kid." Lily smiled at him.

"Prongs!" Sirius Apparated into their living room. "McGonagall and Dumbledore need to speak with you." He noticed Lily. "Lils! Congrats!"

"Thanks, Sirius." She accepted his hug. "When are they coming?"

Remus appeared next to them. "Right away," he said, and soon after the two professors Apparated in with a sharp crack.

"James, Lily," Minerva McGonagall nodded to the two of them. "It's good to see you."

"Hi, Professors." James waved at them. "Welcome here."

"James, we are not your professors anymore," Dumbledore said in his soft voice. "My name is Albus."

James grinned shyly. "Sorry, Albus. It'll take a while to get used to that."

They all sat down at the table in the kitchen. Molly and Arthur had to return to the Burrow to rescue Bill and Charlie from their siblings.

"Have Phil and Eloise been settled in?" Lily asked, bringing in a tray of Butterbeer.

"They have," Minerva set her cloak on the chair. "For security reasons, only Albus and myself know." Sensing their unease, she continued. "Frank Longbottom has been assigned to watch them."

"Oh, good." James took a sip of his Butterbeer. He felt the warm amber liquid flow through his body. "There's nobody better."

"Is there anymore news?" Remus asked, drawing his glass closer to him. "On Peter?"

Albus brought his hands together. "The information we received from Borgin and Burkes was little," he began. "They have taken care to limit the amount of people included in their plans."

James frowned, frustrated. He just wanted it all to end. So that Harry could go to school again. So that he and Lily could enjoy more freedom. To keep their future child out of danger. "What can I do?" He said, determined.

Albus was unsurprised. "At this point, James, there's nothing anyone can do."

Lily pulled James close to her face. "Do we tell them?" She whispered.

He drew his face back and looked into her eyes. She was uncertain. "Only if you want to." He said back to her.

She drew in a shaky breath. "Albus, Minerva, there's something we need to tell you." She grabbed James hand. "I'm pregnant again."

Minerva let out a cry of happiness and brought her hands to her mouth. Albus smiled warmly at the young couple.

"Professors, what do we do?" James asked in all seriousness. "How can we keep this child safe as well?"

Minerva answered, still smiling widely. "You should be fine where you are, as long as you take fewer risks out in public."

"So, basically, don't be stupid." Sirius pointed out.

Minerva's teacher face came back as she addressed him. "Yes, Mister Black, that is exactly what I meant." It came back as they all laughed.