The Second Star

Prologue

It's the second star to the right and straight on 'til morning...- Peter Pan

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August 30, 1981, 10:23 p.m.

"James it's too soon!" cried Lily Potter. "She's not due until Halloween!"

"Well it looks like we'll have another summer baby, Lils," the raven-haired wizard said smiling at his wife. "Try not to worry, Love. This is the best Muggle hospital. And Muggles are better with infant care."

Lily looked around the stark white hospital room. With James holding her hand tightly, she could almost believe it would be alright. Lily had been studying medical practices of both wizards and Muggles since before she graduated Hogwarts. She knew better than anyone the great advancements Muggles were rapidly making. It was one of the reasons she insisted Harry be born in a Muggle hospital a year ago, and why she held to that decision with her second child. But the baby wasn't due for another two months! And where was the damn doctor?

"Sirius and Alice are with Harry?" Lily asked trying to ignore her rising panic.

"They're in the waiting room," James said. "Sirius says Harry is excited about meeting his new little sister. I think Sirius is more excited to be a godfather again. Alice brought little Neville too."

"What about Remus and Peter? Are they coming?"

"Full moon, Lils," James said with a said smile. Remus couldn't be there because he was a werewolf, the same reason he wasn't the new baby's godfather. They assumed Peter would be with Remus since no one else could be. Lily had refused to make Peter her daughter's godfather. She had argued that at least Sirius understood girls a bit. Peter was clueless around babies, let alone a baby girl.

Suddenly another contraction hit and Lily closed her eyes against the pain. Tears ran down her face. "I wish my mum were here."

I wish my mum were here, James thought. "It'll be alright, Love. Breath. Just breath."

***

"Breath Sirius, just breath," Alice Longbottom said smiling at her old friend.

"Damn it Al! Tell me to breath again and I'll hex something, I swear!" Sirius said pacing.

"I don't doubt it," Alice said. "But watch what you say. There are Muggles about."

"Fuck! I don't give a flying bloody monkey's arse about Muggles!"

"Sirius Black!" Alice said with blue eyes flashing. "You will not use that language around my son, nor Lily's!"

The two little boys looked up at the adults from the playpen they occupied.

"Siri funny!" little Harry announced.

"Monkey! Monkey!" Neville cried.

"You lucky that's the word he picked up on!" Alice shot at Sirius.

"Sorry, Al," Sirius said meaning it. "But Lily looked to be in so much pain. And James is only just holding it together for her sake. They don't deserve this. We're good people, Al, aren't we?"

"Of course we are, Sirius," Alice said as her usual kind smile slid into place. "We just have more than our fair share of bad to deal with."

"I'll never understand why you guys insisted upon getting married so young," Sirius said shaking his head. "We're only three years out of Hogwarts, for Christ's sake! And you dated Frank all of what? Three months? before you got married? We shouldn't have to deal with all this. And now Lily might lose the baby..."

"Hold it right there, Sirius," Alice said all the force a young Auror could command. "Lily is not about to lose this baby or any other. Are we clear? She's too damn stubborn and the best medi-witch I know. She won't lose the baby. She can't. "

"It would kill her," Sirius said sadly. "Lil loves being a mother."

"Which is part of the answer to your earlier question," Alice informed him. "And as for the marriage thing, what would you have done if Rose had lived?"

"Rose died when we were kids, Al," he said sadly.

"I remember," she whispered, wishing she hadn't brought it up. "I was there too. But we have to hold on to the people we love the most, even if we are young."

"Siri!" Harry called from the playpen. "Siri, up!"

Sirius smiled at the boy. Harry had good timing. He strode over and picked up the toddler, lifting him high in the air. Harry giggled.

"You mister, should be asleep," Sirius said. "Whoa! Harry, what is that smell?"

"Isn't it nice to be his guardian?" Alice asked handing Sirius the diaper bag.

****

August 31, 1981, 1:38 am

James Potter was mentally and physically exhausted. The doctors had sedated Lily, but the baby was still coming. They were debating the best course of action now and sent James out of the room to rest. He did not want to leave Lily. She was in pain and needed him. The doctors pretended to be sympathetic but banished him anyway.

"We don't need a hysterical father as well as a hysterical mother, Mr. Potter," the lead doctor, a man named Lear, had said.

In that moment James hated Dr. Lear. It was irrational and petty, but it made him feel better, damn it!

James walked down the hall to the waiting room Sirius and Alice occupied with the boys. He was surprised to see Frank there as well.

"Jamie-lad!" Frank said at the sight of him. "What news?"

James smiled weakly at his old Quidditch teammate. "Lily is sedated right now. I think the bloody doctors are as lost as we are. Don't have a clue what to do next. That arse who calls himself a doctor, sent me out here."

James sat next to Sirius who had Harry asleep on his shoulder. Silently, Sirius handed the boy to his father. Little Harry nestled into the crook of James arms. He looked so peaceful.

"It'll be alright, Prongs," Sirius said putting a hand on his friend's shoulder.

"Thanks, Padfoot," James said automatically.

Alice looked at them thoughtfully for a moment. "You know, you three really aught to register yourselves."

Sirius groaned. "Not this again, Al, please."

James ignored his friends' bickering. He got up and walked over to the playpen where little Neville slept. Placing Harry down too, James watching the babies sleeping.

"They just seem so small," he said quietly.

Frank chuckled from beside him. "They are, mate."

"Assignment tonight, Frank?" James asked.

"Yeah. Death Eater raid up in Hogsmead, of all places. They're getting bolder, James. Have you given any more thought to my offer?"

"I' have Frank, but it wasn't for me. I play Quidditch for a living. Better pay than Auror. I do my part for Albus and the Order, as does Lily. You know that. We're targets as it is. I don't want any more harm to come to my family. My parents, my sister, all gone because of who we are. I just couldn't put myself, or my family in more danger."

Frank sighed and looked over to where his wife was still arguing with her long time friend. "I know what you mean. Alice and I were already in when we married. But you're a good man James Potter. I wanted you on my Quidditch team at school, I'd be thrilled to have you on my team now."

"We're still on the same team, Frank," James said. "We're just fighting a little differently."

A nurse appeared at the end of the hall, "Mr. Potter, your wife is asking for you."

"Go on then mate," Frank said. "And have faith."

******

4:13 am

"Merlin's beard!" Sirius said. "What are they doing to her in there?"

"Clam down, Sirius," Alice said. "It's normal. You'd know that if you were here for Harry's birth. But you had a date. Was she a good shag?"

"Not funny, Al," Sirius said pacing again.

"Besides, Love," Frank said, "Harry was born and four in the afternoon, if I recall."

"Your point? Sirius's passions know no limit."

"Jealous?" Sirius said without thinking, still pacing.

"Watch your mouth, Black," Frank warned.

Confronted with towering figure of Frank Longbottom, Sirius Black almost looked puny. "Sorry," he said just as off handedly as his had made the previous remark.

"It can't be too much longer," Alice said now starting to look slightly worried as a particularly loud scream was heard from coming Lily Potter's room.

"James screams like a girl," Frank said.

Alice and Sirius looked at him. "Where's that Marauder sense of humor? Lily will be fine. Alice's right. She sounded much the same with Neville. And she had pain charms."

"But Alice wasn't two months early!" Sirius bellowed.

"Shush," Alice said as the sleeping boys stirred.

A nurse coming down the hall stopped any further arguments. "Potters?" she asked.

"We're here for them, yes," Sirius said hurriedly.

"Congratulations, then," the nurse said with a smile. "It's a girl. Four pounds three ounces. The doctors say she and the mother are doing fine. I'll be back to tell you when you can go in."

*****

10:42 am

"Isn't she beautiful?" James asked waving down at the tiny baby behind the glass case.

"What did you name her?" asked a newly arrived Remus Lupin.

"Holly Lily Potter," James said proudly.

"You named her after your sister?" Remus asked thinking of the girl he knew from so long ago.

"Lils' idea," James said. "Since we named Harry after he father, well sort of."

Remus laughed. "Yes I think Harry is a bit different from Harlan."

"But her mum always called him Harry," James smiled wickedly. "And Petunia hated it. And since she got James from me I gave Lily to our daughter."

"Very diplomatic, Prongs," Remus said with a smile. "She's so tiny, though!"

"Yes," James said somberly. "Lily's scared out of her mind with worry. There are a few strengthening potions though. She thinks they'll help. Lily gives her small amounts discreetly at feeding times. The next two months will be most critical. Once we get past Halloween we can relax a bit, but Lils still wants to give her the potions for at least the first year to be safe.

"Moony, you know about her guardian, we wanted it to be you but..."

"Believe me, Prongs, after last night, I know I'm the last person a child should been trusted to. Even if it is a contingency that will never happen. And according to the bloody Ministry, I'm not technically a person. Besides, it makes more sense to keep them together. Despite his many faults, Sirius loves your children. He'd take good care of them."

"Thanks for understanding, Remus. Promise me something though?"

"Anything I can, Prongs," Remus answered.

"If," James started slowly, "Merlin forbid, anything should happen to Lily and me, see that the kids stay together. They'll need each other." James' eyes never wavered from his daughter as he spoke.

Remus couldn't help feeling the gravity of the moment. "I'll do everything I can, James. I'd do anything for them."

"Say, where's Peter?" James asked changing the subject and breaking the sober mood that seemed to have settled over them.

"Here I am," called a plump young man running down the hall. "Didn't think I'd miss this did you?"

"Wormtail, old man!" James said clasping the new comer by the hand and dragging him to the window. "What kept you?"

Peter Pettigrew winced. "I had something to take care of. And I can't stay long."

"Neither can I," Remus sighed.

"No matter, mates," James said. "Demands of the world and all that. Come look at my beautiful little girl."

****

October 31, 1981, 11:26

James and Lily Potter stood watch over they're sleeping son. It was his last night alone in the nursery, as Holly would be coming home tomorrow. Her basinet was already set up a few feet away.

"He's getting so big," Lily said. "Especially next to Holly. And did you see the way they just lit up when they saw each other today?"

"Yes," James said smiling. "I'll be glad when we're all home and safe, though. I worry about Holly being outside the charm."

"She'll be home tomorrow. We'll all be safe," Lily said rapping her husband's arms around her waist.

A noise came from back door making them both jump.

"Did you hear that?" James asked.

****

November 1, 1981, 11:38

Professors Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall were sitting on a wall out side number four Privet Drive discussing grave matters.

"What they're saying," Professor McGonagall was heard to say, " is that last night Voldemort turned up in Godric's Hollow. He went to find the Potters. The rumor is that Lily and James Potter are - are - that they're - dead."

Dumbledore bowed his head. Professor McGonagall gasped.

"Lily and James ... I can't believe it ... I didn't want to believe it ... Oh, Albus ..."

Dumbledore reached out and patted her shoulder. "I know ... I know..." he sighed heavily.

Professor McGonagall's voice trembled as she went on. "That's not all. They're saying he tried to kill the Potter's son, Harry. But _ he couldn't. He couldn't kill that little boy. No one knows why, or how, but they're saying that when he couldn't kill Harry Potter, Voldemort's power somehow broke - and that's why he's gone.

Dumbledore nodded glumly.

"It's - it's true?" faltered Professor McGonagall. "After all he's done ... all the people he's killed ... he couldn't kill a little boy? It's just astounding ... of all things to stop him ... but how in the name of heaven did Harry survive?"

"We can only guess," said Dumbledore. "We may never know." After a moment, Dumbledore consulted his watch before saying, "Hagrid's late. I suppose it was he told you I'd be here, by the way?"

"Yes," said Professor McGonagall. "And I don't suppose you're going to tell my why you're here, of all places?"

"I've come to bring Harry to his aunt and uncle. They're the only family he has left now. Except for his sister, who will be brought here tomorrow by Remus Lupin."

"You don't mean - you can't mean the people who live here?"

****

November 2, 1981, 11:00am

Remus Lupin shifted the bundle of blankets that held Holly Potter. The infant was staring up at him with her mother's green eyes. The look in her face clearly said, you've got to be joking!

"I wish I were, Holly," he told the little girl quietly.

Remus rapped sharply on the door. He had hoped to be picking Harry up, not dropping Holly Lily off. Despite what Professor Dumbledore may say, Remus had met Petunia Dursley. He knew Lily would not want her children raised by these people. But Peter was gone, with James and Lily now. And Sirius could hardly raise two small children from Azkaban Prison. And he couldn't take them. Merlin's beard how he wished he could!

Petunia Dursley opened the door, a screaming toddler, who was most defiantly not Harry, on her hip.

"Well," she said glancing at her watch, "actually on time. Who'd have thought."

"Mrs. Dursley," Remus said following her inside. "A pleasure as always."

At the sound of his voice, Harry came running. "Remy! Remy!"

"Harry!" Remus got down on his knees and scooped Harry up with his free arm.

"Hol-li!" Harry cried spotting his sister too. She gave a gurgled greeting in response.

"The whelp seems keen on you," Petunia said.

Remus scowled. "Yes well, I'd take them myself if I could."

Petunia seemed to light up. "Really?"

"Unfortunately, I can't," Remus said. "I'm in no position to take in any children."

"Of course. Well, you've brought the girl. What other business could you possibly have here?"

"Only the children's safety and future," Remus said.

"How dare you?" Petunia screeched. Remus felt Harry cringe. "We take in my sister's foundlings out of the goodness of our hearts and you come here and insult me! Get out! Don't come back unless you're prepared to take the brats yourself!"

Not knowing what else to do, Remus put Harry down. "I'll do everything I can, Harry," Remus promised.

"Get out!" Petunia bellowed again.

Remus handed her Holly gently. Petunia was anything but.

"Unless you or your kind are prepared to shoulder some of this burden, don't bother ever coming back!"

Remus heard the door slam behind them. Holly and Harry started screaming. Every instinct Remus possessed told him to brake the door down and get his best friends' children back. But it just wasn't practical for a werewolf to raise two babies on his own. He would talk to Alice and Frank. They would take in the Potter children.

With new resolve, Remus set off to find Albus Dumbledore and convince him to let the Longbottoms take in the Potters. Frank and Alice would be glad to have the kids. Alice had met Petunia, after all.

Remus didn't know that in a week's time, Frank and Alice Longbottom wouldn't even be able to raise there own son. He didn't know that every time he tried to visit Harry and Holly over the next year, he would get a door slammed in his face. He didn't know it would be twelve years before he saw either child again.

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A/N: Profs. Dumbledore and McGonagall's conversation taken largely from HP & SS pgs. 12 -13.

Now shall we see how Holly fits into the Potterverse?