How It All Happened

A loud engine disrupted the peaceful sleep of two people.

"It's Sirius" James sighed wearily and rolled over.

"Honey, this has to stop. I know it's been difficult for him, breaking up with Celestina and all. But I would like to sleep in the night. You know, night. That thing that comes after the evening. Where the moon and the stars are. You know the time where normal people sleep!" His wonderful wife replied sarcastically. She had been acting weird for a while now. He dismissed it for hormones she was still only eighteen after all. Well nineteen pretty soon as her birthday was only a few months away.

"It's Christmas..." He whined. He had gotten a week off official Auror work. Although he still answered Albus's call. Being part of the Order of the Phoenix had its perks, but it was difficult, tiring work. Right now he couldn't remember any of the perks. No, wait; he was helping saving the world or something like that. Yes. Definitely saving the -who was poking him?

"Wha-?" He muttered questioningly.

"I want you to talk to Sirius. Please. I can't stand this any more. All you two do is work. And you dear, seem to get paid very nicely. And I know Sirius gets the same amount of money. Isn't it time Sirius moved out?" Lily whispered in his ear pleadingly.

"I'll talk to him in the morning. Chances are that he's drunk. He won?t hear a thing I'm saying." He gave in. Who wouldn't give in if those green orbs were staring at them in that way? They were a sort of cross between pleading puppy dog and cute, fluffy, bunny. It was fun; living with the two people he loved the most. But Sirius was... -spinning out of control. Celestina leaving him had been the most difficult to handle. Apparently she had been offered some great job and she had said that Sirius didn't consider the relationship seriously and that she needed to think of her career. Poor Sirius. He hadn't been the best boyfriend in the world but he really thought he loved Celestina.

"James, thanks" Lily's voice sounded sleepy and she kissed him on the ear. She had probably been aiming for his cheek, but when she was tired she was blinder than he was without his glasses.

"No problem Lily" he whispered more to himself than to her. He knew she was sleeping. She looked so pretty when she was sleeping. To him, she always looked pretty. Even when her hair was tousled and when she had a milk mustache because she had had her breakfast in too much of a hurry. And when she laughed. She was the most beautiful when she laughed. He adored how her eyes glimmered with mirth and how these little wrinkles appeared at the edges of her eyes. And when she threw her head back... He hugged her. He was so lucky to have her.

*

It was on New Years Eve when it all happened. The Death Eaters attacked Diagon Alley for the umpteenth time. And they were breaking into Gringotts. Albus's head appeared in the fireplace disturbing their dinner. Remus and Peter had come over; Lily had tried to cook. James had cooked a meal and they were all eating when Albus called Sirius and James to duty. They had gone out straight away. Apparently the goblins had fought fiercely and so had the Aurors. The Death Eaters were stopped in the end, but too much damage was done. It was as if all Muggle fireworks on Earth had been stuck inside Gringotts and set off in the building. The rebuilding was nearly done. But some of the damage was not in anyone's hands to fix. Five Aurors had lost their lives and many hurt. James had been hurt so badly, and all Lily could do was cry. He was at Saint Mungo?s. And she was there as well. Waiting. She hadn't even been able to tell him. What if he died? She'd be alone. Sirius had escaped much of the danger. But for some reason, Peter wasn?t at Saint Mungo?s. He wasn't in a coma like James. Peter could talk. She had talked to him several times. She wanted to know why he had been out there. He wasn't an Auror. He probably wanted to help. He was so dumb sometimes. And her husband was stupid and brave. What if he never woke up? She'd die too. She couldn't just continue living without James. Now she was just sitting on one of these horrid plastic chairs. Next to her was a table filled with stacks of month old Witch Weekly magazines and The Daily Prophet. It had been a week and the Healers all said they were doing the best they could. But it wasn't enough. They had to brew some Potion. They had to do some spell. It was always the same answer. 'His status is stable but we don't know... blah blah.' They didn't know. They didn't know anything. They didn't understand. This was her husband in there! He could die! What were they doing? That woman was just drinking coffee. Why wasn't she making James come back? Why weren't they healing him?

"Lily?" Someone said.

She was startled to see Albus standing in front of her looking worried.

"How is he?" Albus asked. He looked kind as always. Could he heal James? Was he here to make James wake up?

"His status is stable but they don't know if he'll make it." She was surprised to hear that her voice was shaking. Her hands went to her cheeks. They were moist with tears. This was awful. Her headmaster was seeing her cry. She probably looked awful. But James might die. She didn't care about the way she looked. She just wished Albus didn't have to watch her cry. Mustn't he be embarrassed?

"You haven't told him yet?" It was a statement as much as it was a question. She knew exactly what he was talking about and she shook her head no.

"I haven't told him... Albus, what if I'm never able to?" She sobbed. She had meant to tell him at midnight... It had been meant to be a surprise. She had been so excited about seeing the look on his face. Actually she had dreaded it as well. What if he hadn't wanted to take that step yet? Someone was speaking to her.

"Miss-Mrs. Potter? Your husband wishes to see you..." she didn't allow the Healer to finish. She rushed inside James's room and hugged him. James winced and she let go.

"James. I was so worried. Are you all right? Don't ever do that to me again!" She babbled and sat down beside him. He reached out his hand and she took it and squeezed it lightly. He smiled.

"Lily. I love you." He was hoarse but she didn't need to hear the words. She saw it in his eyes. So much love.

"I love you too," she whispered. She heard someone enter and turned to see who it was. It was Albus he was smiling and the familiar twinkle was twinkling away in his blue eyes. He looked really happy for them.

"Lily, I am sorry to interrupt but it is necessary that I speak to your husband right away. I hope you understand." Albus spoke kindly but in such a way that it left no room for objection. She left the room slowly, for she didn't really want to leave but her heart was still. She knew James was safe. She wanted to see the Healer who healed her James. She didn't need to search for long. The Healer ran into her by the plastic chairs she had been sitting in earlier. Her eyes flickered towards the nametag on his chest.

'Harry'.

*

"How are you James?" Albus asked quietly after Lily had closed the door. Albus performed a Privacy Charm so no one would be able to eavesdrop on their conversation and sat down in the chair previously occupied by Lily.

"I don't feel so good actually. Seeing Lily helped though." He answered truthfully.

"What happened?" Albus asked, straight to the point. -Albus must be in a hurry. James thought.

"I fought a lot of Death Eaters, they blasted me with a lot of curses. Backup was as good as nonexistent and I think I saw something I wasn't supposed to." The speech was quickly spoken and followed by a coughing fit, His throat hurt. Probably a side affect of some potion or other...

"What did you see?" Albus questioned urgently.

"I was fighting them Death Eaters and I was trying to keep them from opening this vault they were trying to open and then they blasted it open and I was thrown back. But I got back up and I was throwing hexes everywhere and I saw one of those guys grab something from the vault. So I hurled myself at him and grabbed him. He fell and I punched him. And I took the thing from him. You know the thing he took from the vault. And then they just went crazy; the Death Eaters. They were just very angry..." He didn't know if he was making sense he was just saying the flashes that were coming back to him. And now he was seeing double...

*

When she followed Harry back into the room where James was, she expected James to be awake. So you can imagine the confusion she went through when James was sleeping. Albus was sitting in her chair looking as if he had recently lost himself in thought and the window was open. The window should be closed. If the window was just left open like that James might get cold! James wasn't supposed to get cold. He might get even sicker than he already was! She walked over to the window and closed it. It took a lot of strength but she managed it in three shoves.

"Yes, he's very tired. He should sleep now..." Harry was speaking to Albus. Good. James was resting. He needed rest. She was going to stay right here and make sure James got enough rest.

"Can I stay?" She asked. If Harry didn't let her she'd stay anyway. They wouldn't take her from James would they?

"Of course you may, Mrs. Potter." Harry was very polite. She felt tired. She made her way to the chair that Albus had just left and sat down. She picked James's hand up again. Everything was going to be fine.

*

She still hadn't told him. Not even after the long stay in St. Mungo?s. She just couldn't work up the nerve. What if he didn't want a child? She knew deep down that he'd be delighted. And she knew she had to tell him soon. Her boss at work - Fiona - already knew. She hadn't told Fiona. Fiona was an old lady, a very clever old lady. Actually, Fiona had known before she herself had realized... It was February, and she knew that soon it would start to show. And she wanted to have told him before he could see.

"Lily, there's no milk left." Sirius declared as he sat down beside James who was reading the Daily Prophet.

"That's because you still come here to finish it off for us," she replied listlessly. Sirius had moved out in January, but he still came to Godric?s Hollow for food.

"Well can't you get some more milk or something?" Sirius asked with a stupid (to her) expression on his face.

"Yes your majesty. I'll just run outside and ask the cow for some more milk for you." She mocked him. He started babbling his comeback but she toned him out. She had to tell James. He wouldn't reject her or anything. She was just being extremely paranoid. She would ask James to make a nice dinner and she'd tell him. Tonight. Or tomorrow... No. Tonight. Sirius was being very obnoxious snapping his fingers in front of her face. She was already on edge because of this whole telling James thing and she didn't need this right now...

"Sod off Sirius. I don't know why you ever left your parents house! You can't survive on your own! You're living off James and me like some really annoying really loud parasite!" Oops. She snapped. Sirius looked like a wounded dog. That was a really hurt look. James looked angry with her. She didn't want James to be angry with her. This was terrible. She started crying again. She'd been doing a lot of that lately...

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm sorry." She cried. James didn't look at all angry now. He looked confused. It was a sort of 'what happened? What'd I do?? look. He got out of his chair and came to her side and put his arms around her. That felt nice. She liked it when he hugged her...

"It's all right. What is it?" He whispered in her ear. She couldn't hide it anymore. She had to tell him now. Or she'd explode.

"I'm pregnant James" her voice trembled. She looked at him. He looked a bit surprised at first. Then a smile formed. His whole face transformed into the definition of happiness. And she felt a huge weight lifted off her chest. The look on his face alone was worth the morning sickness she had hidden from him, the mood swings and simply everything. He hugged and kissed her suddenly and he was laughing. She laughed with him and Sirius who had hurried into the living room for cover came back into the kitchen and asked what was so funny.

"My wife is pregnant" James said as an answer to his friend?s question. But it was more as if he were telling himself. She nodded at him and he lifted her up and spun her around. She laughed. They all laughed.

*

It was the middle of March and her pregnancy had started to show. When at first she hadn't been able to fit into her pants, she had ignored it and worn a skirt under her robes to work. Her boss had given her a knowing look. And nothing had been said. But when she stopped fitting into any of her clothes in late June/early July that was when she forced James to go shopping with her. Sirius didn't come this time. But they met him anyway. Well maybe 'met' wasn't the correct term. They saw him but they were pretty sure he hadn't noticed them. They had finished shopping and had been resting in the ice- cream parlor when they saw him. He was getting kicked out of Flourish and Blotts along with a blond woman. As soon as the clerk was back inside the shop, Sirius and the girl started yelling at each other and recognition hit Lily. That was Celestina.

"James?" Lily looked at him pleadingly.

"What? What can I do? We better stay out of it. I'll talk to Sirius tomorrow when he comes over to finish our milk off." James murmured in her ear and stole some of her ice cream.

"Hey!" she giggled. "Never steal food from a pregnant woman!" she then added trying to stay serious. She failed the seriousness as soon as he gave her 'the look' she simply pecked him on the cheek instead. Then a sudden frustrated scream startled them. Celestina had been the one to scream and was now walking away from Sirius who was holding his cheek.

"I think she slapped him..." said James in disbelief.

The next morning Sirius showed up as usual, the official reason for his morning visits was that he wanted to accompany James to work. But the real reason was that he didn't know where the supermarket was but he did know where their fridge was. But anyway, he had hardly stepped out of the fireplace when a cranky man whose hair looked ready to kill and an equally cranky pregnant lady ambushed him.

"So, have you seen Celestina lately?" Was James's un-sneaky but to the point approach. Sirius's face fell. He looked like he was frantically trying to think of how he could convincingly lie. But as it was very early in the morning, all his brain could do right now was; think of food.

"Food?" Sirius finally asked.

"You know where it is. And don't you dare eat my Mars bar!"* Lily yelled after the cloud of smoke that had arisen as Sirius ran for the kitchen.

(*Lily's craving for the week. James had long lost count of all the extra trips to the market for some craving of Lily's or other.)

James followed Sirius to the kitchen but Lily remained in her armchair. Her ankles were a bit swollen because of the extra weight she carried around. But -as James constantly reminded her- it would be worth it. She heard the two men conversing in the kitchen but she trusted James to fill her in on the details later. She glanced at the calendar that hung on the wall. It had all the full moons marked with a red pen. And every time one of the Marauders (Sirius not included) came to visit there were blue markings and so on and so on. Lily noticed that there were no blue markings on the page. It had been ages since Remus came to visit, Peter had been here a few weeks ago... but she really missed Remus. The full moon had been a week ago she remembered. She and James had had a discussion about it. How pretty it was and how much it actually did. It controlled the tides and it controlled some people. Some potion ingredients had to be collected at the light of a full moon. She smiled at the memory of just babbling the night away. The two marauders returned to her presence, James kissed her quickly, asked her if she'd be all right on her own like he always did and then he said he'd talk to her when he came home. She nodded and smiled. James and Sirius Disapparated away and her baby kicked, as if to protest his father's departure. It was a week since she quit working and she still wasn't used to just being at home. Eventually she'd start work again of course. But being a homemaker was starting to look like something she'd like to be. James made enough money on his own. But it went against everything she was. She had promised herself not to become one of these wives who only lived for spoiling her child and husband. She didn't want to be like her grandmother had wanted her to be. She loved working. She liked her job. And she loved James too. And besides, how could she be a homemaker? She couldn't even boil potatoes correctly!

It was now near the end of the day and Lily was beside herself with excitement. She couldn't wait for James to come home and tell her about his conversation with Sirius. When he finally apparated into the living room she almost ran him over in her excitement.

"So, tell me!" She ordered.

"Apparently Celestina is dating some guy who Sirius knows from Divination class - I wasn't in Divination, remember? -And they got into this fight about that Sirius didn't own her, and how she could make her own decision. And in the end Sirius accused her of only dating the guy because he looks like Sirius. She got mad and slapped him." James explained with a grin.

"Sirius really has a problem with getting rejected." She sighed. James nodded and went into the kitchen to put away the groceries. She felt sorry for Sirius, she really did. But he had moved on with his life. Why couldn't he let Celestina do the same? She felt her baby kick inside of her. She put her hand over it and smiled.

"James, the baby's moving." She said loud enough for him to hear. He came right away and kneeled in front of her. Then he put his ear to her large belly. After a moment he got up and informed her that his 'son' thought Sirius was silly.

"And what makes you so sure it's a boy?" She asked menacingly.

"Well, no girl could make you complain so much." James joked.

"I do not complain!" She objected, but then she laughed and followed James into the kitchen.

*

It was the thirtieth of July and after much difficulty the Marauders had managed to find time to come to dinner at the Potter's place. Lily was a bit overdue and Sirius's mother who was a midwife said that the baby would be coming any day now. Anyway, James had cooked a delicious meal that they were all enjoying at the moment.

"Sirius would you pass the rice?" Lily asked.

Sirius picked up the bowl and handed it to her. She took it but then she dropped it suddenly.

"Lily, what is it?" asked James after seeing the look on her face.

"I think my water just broke." She whispered her eyes as round as the plates they were eating from.

"Padfoot, call your mum. Lily I'll help you upstairs to our bedroom."

-A few hour later-

"I hate you! You did this to me, get him away from me!" Lily yelled at the top of her lungs after another contraption. It was now around eleven o'clock in the evening. James hadn't left her side once. Sirius's mother who was a Muggle midwife was there. She looked extremely angry with him as she continued to yell, but all of a sudden her voice softened and she was whimpering "No! Don't leave me. I love you?? she said and he risked coming a little closer. She grabbed his hand and stared into his eyes frantically.

"Don't leave me." She pleaded. Her face was flushed and her hair was sticking to her. Her face was relaxed at the moment. And she was looking at him as if he were the only water in the Sahara.

"I won?t leave you." He used his most reassuring tone of voice but she didn't seem convinced. That was how the time went by, either she loved him or she hated him and he was sure his hand would never be the same. Who had known Lily was that strong? But finally:

"Lily, you're doing great dear. Now next contraption, I want you to give me a great big push all right?" Mrs. Black looked at Lily for a response and she nodded looking frightened.

"You'll be fine, you're doing great with the breathing and you're just wonderful." He told Lily who just continued looking very scared, but she did give him a tiny smile, as if to say: Thanks, I appreciate it.

Then she closed her eyes and screamed as she pushed in time with the contraption. His hand hurt. A lot. But that didn't matter because he heard Mrs. Black announce that the head was out.

"All right," Mrs. Black exclaimed happily. "Now, one more push. Breathe and push"

Lily screamed again and this time a baby's cry followed with it.

"It's a boy!" Mrs. Black said and smiled.

He looked at Lily who had closed her eyes and was resting against the pillow breathing deeply with her mouth. Mrs. Black wrapped their baby boy in a blue blanket and handed him to Lily. Lily took the sobbing infant into her arms and murmured soothing words to him. The little boy calmed down and stopped crying. James felt awed. He looked at the red crinkly thing and he felt so proud. - I made that. He thought.

"He's beautiful." Lily whispered. She looked as awed as he felt.

"Yes he is." He whispered back.

"I want to name him Harry. Harry James." She said suddenly. She wanted to name the kid after him? Of course. But why Harry?

"Harry James Potter. Yes, that definitely has a ring to it. Where'd you get the Harry name from?" He answered. The name sounded very pretty. And he had this overwhelming feeling of pride inside. It was just amazing. He had a beautiful wife who loved him and he loved back and he had a beautiful son. He had a family. Right that moment he felt he could defeat Voldemort himself without much trouble.

"Harry was the Healer at Saint Mungo's who healed you." She whispered not taking her eyes off Harry James.

"Oh. Harry James Potter it is." He smiled. Lily smiled. And little Harry looked at them curiously.

"James, why don't you go downstairs and show the others your son. Lily still has something to finish here. I doubt you'll want to see it." Mrs. Black said kindly.

"All right." He answered and held out his hands to receive Harry. Lily let go reluctantly.

"Don't drop him." She told him seriously, holding tightly on to her son.

"I won?t." He answered and pulled Harry free. Harry gave a startled cry and kicked around. There was an awkward moment while James tried to get a hold of his wriggling son. He finally managed to hold Harry comfortably and of course very carefully. When the two arrived downstairs - Harry had cried a bit on the way down but then fallen asleep (being born is very tiring work) - there was much commotion.

"That was inside Lily all that time? Weird"

"You're a father Prongs, congratulations!"

"Is Lily all right?"

"We'll have to buy more dungbombs..."

"Have you decided a name?"

"Is it a girl or boy?"

The questions and congratulations went on for a while and he answered everything the best way he could. But Mrs. Black came down and interrupted before long informing them that Lily was perfectly well and wanted to see her son. So James took Harry back upstairs. The last thing James knew was that he was watching Harry sleep in Lily's arms.

*

The next weeks were very tiring for the new parents. Harry would start crying in the middle of the night waking them both up. They had decided Lily took care of Harry on weekdays but he on weekends. It was -of course- he who had the tiring job. But that of course depended on the definition of tiring work. Because taking care of Harry during the day proved to be a full time job. The diapers, the feeding and simply keeping him safe all took time and energy. James of course helped her as much as possible. But she found that she - at the age of nineteen - was a mother. A mother. During the pregnancy she had never really realized what the meaning of being a mother was. But she didn't regret having Harry. Not at all. Not even if only for the little things. Like when Harry smiled and babbled some nonsense. She remembered the first time Harry smiled. It had been when Sirius and James had both looked into his cradle and their heads had smacked together. Lily had laughed too when that happened. It was now morning and James had just left. He had allowed her a bit of a lie in, since Harry had been crying a lot that night. She thought about the last time he'd cried that much. It had been New Years Eve. He'd been afraid of the sounds that came from the fireworks. Last Christmas had been wonderful though. They had all gone over to Sirius's parents on the Twenty-fourth and Mrs. Black had made the most delicious Turkey. It was even better than James's. New Years Eve had been fine, despite her son crying so much. The Marauders didn't meet as they did last time. Both Remus and Peter had been otherwise engaged and Sirius had gone to some party with an old girlfriend from school, Cynthia or something. -Well, according to James. She was glad there were no more hospital stays right now. She'd die if she were to lose James.