Beyond the Lake

Chapter Ten

***

"Lily?" he yelled into the house. It had been five years since they had graduated, four since they'd married. She had become the Gringotts Curse Breaker, and he, of course, was an Auror, having turned down every Quidditch team that offered him a spot.

"James? Merlin, you're okay," she said in panic as she flung her arms around him.

"Why wouldn't I be? Oh, the raid."

"Remus told me. Was it Order or Auror business?"

"In a way, both."

"Great. But for once, I have some good news, although maybe you should sit down."

"You said it was good news."

"It is, but it's a bit shocking."

"Tell me already!"

"I'm beginning to see how you felt when you proposed. I remember thinking how weird you were acting."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"This is just as weird."

"Merlin, just tell me!"

"It is fun to exasperate you, though, but okay. We're...I'm pregnant."

It took him awhile for this to register, but once it did, he jumped up and gathered her into his arms as he had done on so many other occasions.

"Lily! That's great! Wonderful, smashing, excellent! Wait, it's too cold in here, you'll freeze, and the baby'll freeze. The baby!"

"Calm down! I'm glad you're so happy, but honestly..."

"But this is wonderful. I love you," he finished softly, kissing her.

"As do I. Now can we eat, please? I've spent two hours waiting for you to get your ass home."

"Like you should talk."

"That's only when I'm sent away. I can't say I want a desk job at Gringotts, you know, although I may have to get one for the next few months."

A face suddenly popped into the fire, it was Sirius.

"Hello, you two," he said with a sense of urgency. "Dumbledore wants the Guard at Headquarters- now."

"We were just about to celebrate, Padfoot, you're interrupting us," James said.

"Celebrate what?"

"Later. We should go," said Lily.

"See you there." And the head popped out of the fire.

"Shall we?" he asked.

"Let's," she said as they popped into Headquarters.

***

They Apparated into headquarters just as Mad-Eye, Frank and Alice Longbottom, and Remus did. She wondered where Peter Pettigrew was, but just assumed that he was busy. However, there wasn't any time for greetings, as Dumbledore looked worried, so everyone immediately took their seats. When the last seat was filled by Severus Snape, Dumbledore stood up and began to speak.

"Thank you all for coming at such short notice and so late. I have just recently become aware of a matter of the utmost importance," upon finishing, he took a strand of silver from his hair and put it into the Pensive sitting by him.

Immediately, a woman rose out of it, revolving, and saying, "THE ONE WITH THE POWER TO VANQUISH THE DARK LORD APPROACHES... BORN TO THOSE WHO HAVE THRICE DEFIED HIM, BORN AS THE SEVENTH MONTH DIES... AND THE DARK LORD WILL MARK HIM AS HIS EQUAL, BUT HE WILL HAVE POWER THE DARK LORD KNOWS NOT... AND EITHER MUST DIE AT THE HAND OF THE OTHER FOR NEITHER CAN LIVE WHILE THE OTHER SURVIVES... THE ONE WITH THE POWER TO VANQUISH THE DARK LORD WILL BE BORN AS THE SEVENTH MONTH DIES..."

When the figure sunk back into the Pensive, the room instantly became full of chatter. But Lily didn't speak. If she had done the math right, and she was positive that she had, this prophecy could mean...

"I assume you understand this," said Dumbledore as the room was restored to order. "So I must know if Lily or Alice could tell us more, as you and your husbands fit the prophecy as far as the fact that you have 'thrice defied him'."

Lily noticed Alice Longbottom tense, and she felt James' hand on hers. So he had realized what this was, too.

She nodded slowly, as did Alice, however reluctantly. Dumbledore did also, only his nod was one of understanding. He then announced, "This meeting is called to an end for all but Lily, James, Frank, and Alice. Thank you again."

As soon as all others had left, Dumbledore walked over to the two couples. Everyone stood quiet, and Lily wasn't really sure if she wanted to hear what her old headmaster had to say; it would only bring them more doubt, more grief. She had hoped she could raise her child in a world without Voldemort, but her son would more likely end the world with Voldemort.

It was James who broke the silence with, "What do you propose we do?"

"We will not know which child the prophecy speaks of until Voldemort 'marks him as his equal'. I am aware that he knows half of the prophecy, but nothing past 'born as the seventh month dies'. This means he will unknowingly choose, so we cannot predict anything until the time draws closer. So I will soon ask you to use the Fidelus Charm to hide from him. It's the best chance we'll have."

"How will he be marked?" Lily asked, dreading the answer.

"I think you know that already," said Dumbledore.

Alice, who had remained silent until now, burst into tears, and Lily struggled from doing the same. First her parents, now her first child, and maybe even James and herself, would be murdered, or an attempt would be made to do so by Voldemort.

"I think it's time to leave the subject for another day," stated Dumbledore. "Good luck, and although this may not be too comforting for the moment, congratulations."

She Apparated home as quickly as possible, and felt James' arms around her the moment she returned.

***

"So Lily's pregnant?" asked Sirius. He and James were in his flat at two o'clock in the morning. As far as James knew, Lily was at home in bed, sleeping.

"Yeah."

"And your son, or Alice and Frank's, could be the one in the prophecy."

"Yup."

"You're in for a wild ride, Prongs. Good luck."

"I'm beginning to realize exactly how Lily felt when her parents died. My son will either be murdered or be the murderer. What a great way for a kid to live."

"Maybe it'll all work out. Maybe it'll be Alice and Frank's kid. Or maybe-"

"Enough! It's still a fifty-fifty chance. And either way, this is going to change the wizarding world completely."

"Yeah, but let's just wait and see."

"I guess. And, by the way, Dumbledore recommends a Fidelus Charm when the time comes, and when, rather if, it does, I want you to be our Secret-Keeper."

"'Course I will Prongs. Just use the mirrors or something and call me."

"Thanks, Padfoot. I'd better get going. I don't want Lily to wake up and think I'm being tortured."
"See you James. And congrats on the baby, if that's any comfort."

"Thanks, I think."

***