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Tweak says, "Imaginaaaaation."

Lily J. Potter (lovingsacrifice) wrote in hogwarts_dawn,
@ 2021-06-02 18:08:00

Current mood:	ecstatic
Entry tags:	character: james potter, character: lily evans potter

RP: James & Lily
Who: James & Lily Potter
When: June 2nd, evening
Where: Gryffindor Common Room
What: A surprise
Warnings tba

Time seemed to move differently when one wasn't constantly worried about someone trying to kill them and their family. Lily contented herself with making sure the Greenhouses were fulfilling their purpose, supplying both Marlene and Severus, as well as producing the more special plant ingredients for the perfumes that Parvati was interested in making. And James seemed to be keeping busy with his friends and job as well, which meant they only really got to see one another for meals and after work.

Like most married couples with children old enough to fend for themselves, they were making the most of the time they had alone, not not trying to see if a bigger family might be in their future. It had been about six weeks since the conversation they had about Sirius' suggestion for them, and while Lily wasn't really expecting anything yet, she had been feeling a little under the weather and sought out Marlene's expertise. Of course, in typical James Potter fashion, he just had to excel at everything, including family planning, apparently.

After swearing Marlene to secrecy, Lily made arrangements with the house elves to pack her up a romantic picnic, deciding that would be a great setting for telling James. Her excitement was hard to contain as she waited for him to get out of work so she could break the news to him. For quite possibly the first time in her life, Lily was adamant with Sirius that he was to make himself scarce until either she or James sent him a message. She had no idea if he suspected anything, but regardless, once James knew, she was certain he'd tell Remus and Sirius all about it.

Practically vibrating out of her skin with anticipation, Lily arranged a pillow nest of sorts, setting up the food for them. James was due back any second, and she wanted things to be as close to perfect as possible. Hearing the unmistakable sounds of someone coming through the portrait, she quickly sat down and tried to appear casual while she waited for him to notice her and everything she'd set up.

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_cervus_
2021-06-03 02:20 am UTC (link)

Was this what normal life was like? No dark wizards hovering outside your door, no owls bearing bad news or knocks on the door after sunset. No sleepless nights where he paced the landing, unable to rest thanks to the feeling of dread creeping under his skin. Just... nothing. James' days were filled with work, his friends and family, and Lily. And it was pretty great. Now they were allowed out into the real world, it felt like they were worryingly close to something that resembled normality. Slightly odd normality where they lived in Gryffindor tower, sure, but still...

James finished work a little later than scheduled and had had to hurry through the corridors to get back to the common room. He'd said he'd meet Lily there before dinner, and he was keen to grab her so they could go find some food. What was it about a good honest day's work that made you so hungry? Reaching the portrait hole, he interrupted the Fat Lady's singing practice, treating her to a skewed grin and a wink. "Sounding good, Madame. You'll have them lining up in their frames. Fillibuster."

"Oh shush, Mr Potter," She replied, but smiled as she swung open, making space for him to clamber through the portrait hole.

If he was honest, James even quite enjoyed hanging out with Lily in the common room. Weird as it was, it kind of reminded him of that time before they'd started dating, when they'd been Head Boy and Girl. He had absolutely, 100%, definitely and completely given up trying to ask her out every twenty minutes and they'd started spending time together, James trying to ignore that he liked her even more when she wasn't shouting at him, wondering if he was imagining the lingering looks and easy conversation.

Of course, back then he'd been more likely to find her waving a Prefect rota under this nose than a criminally tasty looking picnic, but he wasn't complaining. Especially since he was pretty sure his rumbling stomach had taken to eating himself. James straightened up and beamed at the sight before him, pushing his hand back through his hair before striding in his wife's direction, discarding his things haphazardly on a nearby table as he passed.

"Buggering Merlin," he announced gratefully, crossing the room and flinging himself down next to her on the cushions. "You're an angel, Lily Potter. Have I told you that?" He leaned over, planting a kiss on her temple while simultaneously reaching for a piece of tart.

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lovingsacrifice
2021-06-03 03:10 am UTC (link)

Having not lived a 'normal' life since her first time at Hogwarts, Lily had no idea if this was what normalcy felt like. What she did know was that she genuinely didn't mind how mundane their days had become. They were safe, as was their son, and Lily truly enjoyed having a schedule, feeling useful, and most of all being able to spend time with James without them constantly looking over their shoulders. They even went out into the real world every so often, neither calling their trips dates, but that didn't stop her from thinking of them in that sense. Admittedly, she missed living in an actual house, but they made their part of the tower into a real home.

Lily usually was in possession of more patience than she knew what to do with. It made things easier for her when dealing with James and his crew when they were younger. However, with the knowledge that she was now eating for two bouncing around inside her brain, she was having a hard time waiting. Honestly, James was lucky that she loved him enough to not tell Sirius and then send him off on his merry way to taunt James with a few rounds of the old I know something you don't know. dance. Even she wasn't that mean when she was feeling petty.

"You haven't, James Potter," she laughed when he kissed her temple, amused at how easily he could charm her and swipe food all in one go. "At least not today."

It was so hard for Lily to not just tell James what she learned. Simply blurting it out didn't seem right to her, not when it came to something this important. She felt somewhat like she had when she first learned she was pregnant with Harry except this time there wasn't a frisson of concern that now was not the best time to be bringing a child into the world. Things were much different now.

Now that he was here she was finally calm, watching him with what could only be called hearts in her eyes as she thought about the new life growing inside of her. Lily realized that she should get some food for herself before he ate everything considering how loud his stomach was gurgling, pleased with the assortment of foods that the house elves provided, slightly amazed at how well they knew their likes and tastes.

"How was your day, darling?" she asked casually, wanting to make conversation while she determined the best way to tell him. "I'm going to guess it was busy, but not terrible, since you've clearly worked up and appetite." She joked lightly, nudging the basket of food closer to herself so he didn't try to grab dessert too early.

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_cervus_
2021-06-03 05:41 am UTC (link)

James took a large bite of cheese and tomato tart, settling back on one elbow as he chewed. He'd been expecting to go down to the Great Hall to eat, but it was hard to be upset about this change of plans.

"Hey, I'm a growing boy!" He insisted, but tore his gaze reluctantly from what looked like profiteroles to peer into the basket that had been nudged closer. Finishing up his mouthful, he quickly reached in and pulled out a hunk of fresh bread, before start to looking around for something to put on top of it.

"Day was good," he continued, "Went for a fly with Padfoot. We did some more reconnaisance stuff in training. Some bits are quite similar to the stuff we did with the map, actually." Who knew that so much of the rule breaking he'd done at school would translate into life in the DMLE? Fifteen year old James would have been proud. Or disgusted, he wasn't too sure. Although if they were honest, his teenage self would probably have been too busy cleaning cauldrons or pickling newts in detention to give the thing too much thought.

"How about you?" He asked, finally locating some carefully wrapped cheese. "You're looking charmingly un‐muddy this evening." James grinned at her and wriggled his eyebrows, before silently offering her some bread and cheese.

"Hey, did you see what Peter wrote in the journals? About things appearing?"

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lovingsacrifice
2021-06-03 07:57 am UTC (link)

Lily knew there was no possible way she and James would have been able to have a relatively private conversation in the Great Hall. She wanted to tell James before anyone else, minus Marlene as she was the one who discovered it in the first place.

"Is that so?" She questioned, eyebrows winging up as her eyes widened in response to his comment. Much as she wanted to reply that she was eating for two, she instead felt it was best to spring that on him once she was sure he was actually paying attention.

"Your day sounds far more interesting than mine was," she posited. "I made sure the ingredients Severus will need were coming in nicely, and I harvested a ridiculous amount of dittany and bobotuber pus for Marlene, which led to a little visit with her." Seeing her friend was honestly one of the brighter spots in Lily's day, especially once she learned what was really causing her to feel somewhat off. "And as you can see, the mandrakes decided to behave today. Some were sulking though."

Taking the bread and cheese from him, she took a deep breath before saying anything about what Peter wrote in the journals. "I did see that," Lily said as she made herself more comfortable, unable to stop from blushing at the way he wiggled his eyebrows.

"If you could have any one thing from home appear here, what would you choose?"

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_cervus_
2021-06-03 09:00 am UTC (link)

"Marlene and her pus, eh?" James smiled, tearing a piece off his bread absently. "How's she doing? We should all go out together soon. And drag Remus and Sirius along as well." As was so often the case, he felt Peter's name catching at the back of his throat. It still felt wrong not to invite him. He'd hoped it would get easier with time, but the annoying git seemed to have taken up permanent residence in the back of his head.

Pushing the thoughts of Wormtail aside, he chuckled at the idea of Lily wrangling Mandrakes. There was something stupidly endearing about her coming home all covered in dirt after a day of plant parenting. Although she obviously deserved some credit... Merlin knew James would probably end up losing a finger if he ever tried it.

He reached for a bottle of pumpkin juice, popping the cap and taking a drink as he considered the question. "Apart from the baby you mean?" he shot her a grin, before it slid away a little. "I dunno. Probably the pictures of Mum and Dad, or something."

Not exactly creative, but honest. Apart from the cloak, which was technically Harry's, he didn't have anything left of his parents. He hadn't kept much after they'd died - something he regretted, but he'd been so muddled at that time that he'd just let the inheritance guys handle everything - and the few things he'd kept hold of would be long gone by now.

"You?" he asked, absently reaching out to push some of her dark red hair back off her shoulder, threading his fingers through the strands for a moment before he took another gulp of juice. "Godric, just don't say the cat. Bloody thing's probably still prowling around Somerset somewhere."

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lovingsacrifice
2021-06-03 06:21 pm UTC (link)

"Bobotuber pus gets used quite a bit in healing," Lily laughed. "She seems to be doing well. And I'm sure she would like that. We Marauder-adjacent ladies can show you guys a good time." Although the question of how they could start letting go of what future Peter did to them was still one that she had no clear answer to, it was getting obvious that they needed to decide how to handle it soon.

Smiling at the sound of his chuckle, she had a feeling James was thinking back to their last 'picnic' and her less than pristine appearance. She actually liked getting her hands dirty and dealing with the plants. Not exactly her dream job, but Lily wasn't complaining.

She caught a whiff of the juice, turning away to stifle the gagging sensation that came upon her suddenly. "Um, about that whole... baby thing," she started softly, peeking up at him with an impish smile on her face.

"When I went and saw Marlene, I had her give me a check up since I've been feeling a little... not right. Turns out, you're going to be a father, again." So it wasn't the grand revelation she wanted it to be, but she was getting antsy keeping it inside - and if she kept smelling that juice there was no telling how her stomach might react.

"So, I guess Harry's old crib would be favorite," she mused aloud, thinking as she spoke. "Unless you think we'll be able to find baby supplies somewhere. Oh, and you may want to apologize to Padfoot, since he tried coming in here before you and I could talk, and I practically pushed him out the door."

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_cervus_
2021-06-03 07:11 pm UTC (link)

James rolled his eyes teasingly at the 'Marauder-adjacent' comment, but made a mental note to hassle the rest of the group and get something locked in. It had been much too long since they'd had a night out all together, one which wasn't coloured by war and the Order and every other horrible distraction. And hopefully they could find a way to work with this Peter thing as well.... Whatever that might be.

Satisfied, he shoved the rest of the bread into his mouth, washing it down with a gulp of juice. Lily was smiling up at him cheekily, and he frowned suspiciously, dropping the bottle from his lips for a moment as his hand crept towards a particularly tempting cauldron cake.

'Turns out, you're going to be a father, again.'

Everything stopped for a second, as if the world was giving James' brain a second to catch up. He was barely listening to her as she carried on about cribs and Padfoot and whatever other bonkers thing...

A baby.

"Wait!" James was vaguely aware he'd dropped his rather large piece of cauldron cake and was now kneeling in the cheese and onion tart, reaching out to grab her hands and stop her talking. "Lily. Wait, wait, wait... Are you joking? Are you really?"

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lovingsacrifice
2021-06-03 07:44 pm UTC (link)

Lily couldn't have imagined a better reaction to her news, from the dropping of the cake to the expression on his face. She wasn't typically the one who ended up surprising him, or anyone really. There was a sense of pride in her eyes at having held the information in for as long as she did, considering how much she had wanted him to know.

Giving him a quizzical look at his question, she almost wanted to shake him for thinking she would joke about such a thing. James obviously didn't understand just how important this was to her, if he thought she'd try pulling his leg like that.

"Did you really just ask me if I was joking, James?"

Letting her jaw drop open, it was all Lily could do to keep from laughing. She wasn't going to drag things out now that the cat was out of the bag in a manner of speaking...

"We're having a baby!"

If Lily smiled any wider at James she was sure that her cheeks would kill tomorrow, but it was hard for her to reign in her giddiness over the situation, wanting James to hurry up and get on her level. "I know it's sooner than we expected... I blame you for that."

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_cervus_
2021-06-03 09:28 pm UTC (link)

"We're having a baby," James repeated, his rather gormless expression slowly morphing into a grin that positively dazzled.

Sure, it was sooner than he'd really expected. But then Harry had been just the same. If he'd been feeling more himself and not like someone had just hit him with some kind of stunning/cheering charm hybrid, James might have made some ridiculous joke about his capabilities. But it was all all could do to beam boyishly across at Lily.

"It doesn't matter. Lils... we're having a baby!"

And then, because he had nothing better to do, he leaned in and kissed her hard, his thankfully cake-free hands sliding along her jaw to cup her face.

A baby. Another baby. With the sleepless nights and the crying and the bubbling laughter and all of that. James would do all of that again in a heartbeat. And now they really could. They'd have Harry and the new baby and everything might finally turn out how it was supposed to. His chest felt full and hot, like it might burst, but in the most brilliant way possible.

When he finally pulled away, slightly breathless and with that stupid grin probably permanently etched onto his face, it was to nudge her nose accusingly with his own. "I love you. And I can't believe you let me sit here and bang on about mandrakes like a bloody idiot. You're shameless."

His face still close to Lily's, James' gaze drifted automatically down to her still inconspicuously flat stomach. "Are you feeling okay? You said you felt off?"

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lovingsacrifice
2021-06-03 11:48 pm UTC (link)

"A baby," Lily reiterated, her worries fading away at the grin that spread across his features.

It was rare to see him looking so gobsmacked. Even more rare that she was witness to it. Of course, she couldn't take all the credit for it, as Lily knew James certainly did his part to accomplish this. If she could freeze a moment in time it would be the sight of a smiling James.

"Can you even imagine? James... we're getting a second chance!"

Returning his kiss with an equal fervor, she held onto his shoulders tightly, resting her forehead against his when they pulled apart.

It would be different, this time. For starters, they could be surrounded by friends and family. Lily and James would have help if they needed it. They wouldn't have to worry about hiding or being targets. Harry would have a sibling, a much younger one, whose future he could help shape.

Letting out a sweet giggle, happy tears welling in her eyes that she made no move to wipe away, all she could do was nod slightly. "I love you too. And I was enjoying hearing you bang on about mandrakes. I was also trying to figure how to bring it up."

Her eyes meeting James', Lily's hand drifted down to her stomach in response to his question. "I thought it was something I ate. Turns out that it was just my stomach being a bit sensitive to something I smelled that the little one didn't like."

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_cervus_
2021-06-04 05:53 am UTC (link)

James ran his thumb across her cheek, catching the tears which were threatening to fall before pressing his lips to Lily's forehead. God, he loved her. Could he tell her that again without sounding like done kind of idioticly boring stuck record? Probably not.

"How about 'Oi, Potter. You gorgeous virile genius, you've only gone and knocked me up again." He grinned widely at her. Admittedly, Lily's way was probably better, but he was giddy and full and practically vibrating with excitement. James dropped one of his hands from his wife's smiling face, instead lacing his fingers through hers where it rested on her abdomen.

"Little bugger. Very inconsiderate of them, really." It was hard to think at all with everything that was bouncing frantically around his head, but he cast his mind back to her pregnancy with Harry. She'd been a little sick then too. Not enough to keep her from fighting a war, obviously, but they didn't have to worry about that here. Whatever flaws the castle had, it had to be easier this time around, right?

James couldn't stop himself scrambling a little closer to her, efficiently destroying whatever was left of the tart wedged under his right knee.

"Did Marlene say how far along?"

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lovingsacrifice
2021-06-04 05:00 pm UTC (link)

Lily laughed even as more tears formed, emotions overwhelming her as she remembered that James was an amazing father. It just wasn't fair. Voldemort had robbed them of their first chance, but this would be different.

"I'll tell you what, when we decide to announce it publicly, that's what I'll do." She wasn't above milking her pregnancy for inappropriate laughs. "I'll get Sirius or Remus in on it, burst through the doors of the great hall before a meal, say exactly that, and then faint on Remus or Sirius," Lily declared with mischief dancing in her eyes.

"Right? Who gave them the right to dislike the smell of pumpkin, among other things?" She was tough enough to handle whatever their impending bundle of joy could throw at her. Though she had no idea what symptoms she might have to deal with this time around. Either way, both she and James had plenty of people willing to help support them this go round.

Lily wasn't concerned about the tart James ruined, appreciating his closeness and that she got to tell him in private.

"Around five and a half weeks. She's the only one who knows other than us."

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_cervus_
2021-06-05 10:21 pm UTC (link)

"You've got yourself a deal," James laughed. There was something vaguely hysterical about the idea of Moony's face if Lily fainted on him. Or maybe he was just feeling a bit hysterical in general. Merlin knew if anything was going to draw out that part of him...

"Oh, right. Sorry." He gave the offending bottle of pumpkin juice one last look and then pushed it away, watching it roll gently under a nearby coffee table. Hopefully that wasn't him on a pumpkin pasty ban for the next 40-ish weeks, but then again, there were worse things.... James turned back to Lily, quickly doing a bit of maths.

"Merlin, we really are bloody efficient," he said happily, even if there was still a bit too much space between between for his liking. He changed position again, twisting so that was sat next to Lily and looping an arm around her. Pulling his wife gently in so her back rested against his chest, James pressed another kiss into her hair. "That's fine. We can tell the others later. But Harry first, I guess? Later."

He wasn't exactly in a rush to go anywhere. James sighed contentedly, sliding his arm more firmly around Lily's waist and pressing his nose into the spot where her shoulder met her neck. "We're going to have another baby," he said again. Just in case she'd forgotten.

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lovingsacrifice
2021-06-07 07:58 pm UTC (link)

"Think it might be better if we don't tell them?" Lily asked, smirking. "And I just said all that and dropped to the floor?" It might seem quite silly, but she was willing to milk this pregnancy for all the laughs and such they could get out of it.

"Why are you apologizing, darling?" She shook her head slightly, leaning back against him and getting more comfortable. "It's not like either of us knew. Besides, for all I know, in a few months I'll be positively fiending for pumpkin." Lily remembered all about the cravings, and poor James having to deal with them.

"Oh yes, quite. Especially when we're not not even trying," she laughed, listening to the rumble of his voice in his chest. She was mostly looking forward to everything associated with having another baby, and she truly hoped James was as well. Knowing they had time to get everything prepared, Lily was forcing herself to relax. "Of course we're telling Harry first. After that, I suppose you'll want to tell Remus and Sirius."

She hummed a soft but happy tune. Lily felt utterly at peace, as though the universe was helping make all of James' and her dreams finally come true. "Harry's going to be a big brother," she mentioned, amused by the thought.

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_cervus_
2021-06-07 10:04 pm UTC (link)

"If you can find a way to do it without hurling your very charming, pregnant self to the ground, that would be even better," James told her with a teasing grin, poking Lily gently in the side.

He shifted a little as she adjusted against him, more than happy to play the role of leaning post. "I'll start stocking up, just in case," he promised her, twirling a strand of red hair between his fingers, his other arm steady around her middle. "Worst comes comes worst we can use them to terrorise people at Halloween."

That idiotic smile was proving quite impossible to shift; it kept creeping back onto his face whether he wanted it to or not. His heart was doing a weird tip tappity thing against his chest, and everything seemed a bit bright and saturated. When Lily laughed, the gentle vibration travelled up her chest and into his, causing James' smile to widen to quite bonkers proportions against her skin.

"I suppose I'll have to," he nodded happily. "If that's okay. You know they'll be very hurt if they have to find out at the same time as all normal people."

"A much bigger brother," James agreed. "This poor kid's going to have some really weird family dynamics to deal with." But he or she would have a family to deal with, and that alone was worth everything. He smiled to himself, pressing his lips persistently into the curve of Lily's neck. "But let's leave it until after the weekend... I've got some much better stuff we could be getting on with right now."

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