Beyond the Lake

Chapter Eleven

***

Lily and James were in the Headmaster's office yet again. This time the topic was slightly more agreeable than the last time they had been there, but not by much.

"You remember we discussed the use of the Fidelus Charm when the time comes?" asked Dumbledore.

"Of course," said James. "But what does that have to do with spies?"

"Everything. I have information of a spy close to the Order, or at least those in it. Someone has begun to pass information to Voldemort about you and other important things to the Order. I know that you had talked about using Sirius as your Secret-Keeper, but I don't think that is a wise decision anymore."

"Are you suggesting Sirius is the spy?" asked James.

Lily could hear the anger in his voice. Although she didn't think Sirius would be the best choice, she didn't think he was the spy, either.

"No, I'm not positive of who the spy is, but it is obviously someone close to you. What if Sirius didn't know this and let something slip to someone he thought was to be trusted? I am willing to be your Secret-Keeper myself because of the risk."

She knew James would never go for that idea, much to her disappointment. He would always trust Sirius blindly, even in situations like this one. Dumbledore was the only person Voldemort feared. Nothing would ever get to the Dark Lord if they used him.

James looked to Lily for confirmation of the "no" she knew he was dying to say.

"James, I think, maybe we should..."

"Lily! Don't you trust Sirius? He would rather die than betray us!"

"Yes but... oh fine!"

"So you will still use Sirius?" asked Dumbledore, who had been watching this conversation with that constant twinkle in his eyes.

"Yes," said James. "Definitely."

***

His decision may not have been the best, but he really didn't care. Sirius would never betray them, and he was smarter than to give away information that important. But however comfortable with this decision he was, Lily didn't show the same feeling.

Now nine months pregnant, she was stressed and anxious enough for a Healer to suggest that she stay in St. Mungo's until the baby was born. But being stubborn, Lily would have none of it. He would never tell her, but there were times when he agreed with the Healer.

Besides that worry, his life went on. There was always something to do for the Order, with the suspicion of a new spy against them, and the little things. The Longbottoms were now in hiding, also, although Dumbledore seemed to doubt that Voldemort would pursue them, not that he knew why. But there was never a time in which the man was wrong, or at least one that James knew of.

"James," Lily interrupted, her voice laced with pain.

Coming out of his train of thought, he said, "Yeah?"

"We need to get to St. Mungo's- now."

***

Like the prophecy had predicted, they had a boy. He was James' new pride, with black hair that was always messy like his and her glowing green eyes. Sirius, of course, was named his godfather, the godfather of the boy who was currently unnamed.

"We really do need to name him, don't we?" James said to her as she held their son.

"How about James?"

"No. Not as his first name, at least."
"Why not? It's a good name."

"Of course it is, but I don't want him named after me. We can use it for his middle name."

"Fine. How does Harry sound to you?"

"Harry? Harry James Potter. I like it."

"Good, so do I."

***