Living And Loving In Times Of War
Chapter 5: A Meeting And Christmas
---
As Lily and James looked out of the, now glassless, window in the door, they saw how Voldemort and his Death Eaters, after a final attack from Voldemort, Apparated out of Diagon Alley.
"What did they come for anyway? What could be important enough for Voldemort to come himself?" Lily asked.
"Beats me." James said. "Maybe Dumbledore knows more. He'll probably arrange a meeting within the next few days."
"More than likely. Shall we go home then?"
James picked up all of the packages and Lily carried the basket with the pup.
---
The next morning, Lily woke up by an owl tapping on their bedroom window.
Usually it would have been Lily to open the window, for James was an incurable bedhead, but since she had these morning-sicknesses, James had been a lot more easy going out of bed in the morning, and, though grumpily, he got up to open the window, muttering something about inconsiderate people that would send an owl at this hour.
The owl swooped inside, dropped the letter on their bed and flew off again. James closed the window and got back under the warm covers as Lily opened the letter.
"It's from Dumbledore. Another meating. I wonder why he didn't contact us the usual way." Lily said, referring to the cards that came with the Chocolate Frogs.
"Doesn't it say in the letter?"
"Not really. He does hint about a leak that could be in the Order."
"A leak? Like a spy?!"
"I suppose. But I couldn't imagine anyone in the Order to be dirty." Lily said pensively.
"It could be Snivellus." James said, a foul look on his face as he thought about the slimy git. "He was a Slytherin."
"Come on, James. Just because he was a Slytherin doesn't mean he's the leak. I admit, he's an incredible asshole sometimes, but that doesn't mean he's on the wrong side."
"Like usual, you're probably right, but I don't like him."
A couple of hours later, Lily and James Apparated to Hogsmeade. They walked to Hogwarts and soon entered the almost deserted castle. Only a few of the students were here for the Christmas holidays, and further only the Professors.
As they came to the Gargoyle, they gave the password, climbed the stairs and entered the Headmasters office where most of the Order was already present. Dumbledore was still looking for a different Headquarters, but untill now, hadn't any luck with that one yet.
"Good morning, Mr and Mrs Potter." Dumbledore greeted. "Now that you're here, we can get started..."
Lily and James sat down next to each other, as Dumbledore took his seat behind his desk.
"I'm glad you could all come today," Dumbledore started. "And you all probably know what the reason to this meating is."
Dumbledore paused for a moment as they all nodded.
"A few of you have been present during the attack on Gringotts yesterday and - "
"What did he take?" Sirius asked impatiently and Remus, who sat besides him, poked him in the side.
"He didn't succeed at Gringotts yesterday, Mr Black. I do, however, know what his intention was and was able to keep it out of his way."
All heads looked eagerly in Dumbledores direction at this.
Dumbledore stood up and walked to one of the many book-cases in his office and pulled out a large tome. He laid it on his desk and turned the pages untill he was halfway into the book.
"As you all know, Tom always tries to find new ways to ensure his immortality. This book contains many theories about it, though I'm positive most of the theories are as flawless as Mr Blacks patience."
James, Remus and Peter chuckled at this and Sirius shot them a dirty look.
"One theorie, however, has a chance of succeeding, though nobody has ever tried it. The way to do it is just too... unpleasant."
They looked at each other, all thinking the same thing: What could be horrifying enough that nobody ever tried to gain immortality?
"And, unless someone has something else to say, this meeting is finished and I wish you all a Merry Christmas."
They all wished the others the same and they left the office, though Lily motioned James to hang back a bit. As the others were away, Lily aproached the Headmaster.
"Sir, do you have any idea about who could be the spy for Voldemort?"
Dumbledore looked deeply into Lily's eyes, and then shook his head.
"I'm afraid not. I've been very carefull about the people I admitted to the Order. It'll be hard to find him or her since that person got into the Order without suspicion."
Lily sighed. "Well, Merry Christmas, Sir."
"Merry Christmas." James said too.
"A very Merry Christmas, Lily, James. And please, call me Albus, I'm not your Headmaster anymore."
"We'll try to remember." James said, smiling, as he wrapped his arm around Lily.
---
Soon, Christmas Eve arrived and Lily and James found themselves curled up on the couch together, Lily in James' lap. His hands were resting on Lily's stomach and Lily had her fingers entwined with his. Lily had just given the puppy some food and was now enjoying herself in her husbands arms.
"You know, we still haven't figured out a name for the baby yet." James murmurred into Lily's hair.
"I know. And we haven't informed Petunia about the baby either."
"Let's not talk about them now, my little vixen." James' low voice rumbled in her ear as he brushed it with his lips and nibbled softly.
Lily untangled one of her hands and lifted it to play with his hair. "I think I could handle that. How about Remy for a girl?" She said as she turned around so she was lying on top of James.
"I'm sure Remus would like that." James said, smiling as he encircled her waist once more.
"Oh, right, forgot about that. Your turn."
"Let me think..." James said thoughtfull as he captured her lips in a kiss, but pulled back much too soon to Lily's liking. "Alex for a boy?"
"It's a nice name, but I don't think it would suit our baby."
"Perhaps you're right." James said, kissing Lily again. "You're up."
"Hmmm, how about... you kiss me like that again and we'll see about that name again in the morning?"
---
The following morning, Lily felt a wet, somewhat raspy, tongue licking her hand.
Not really wanting to get up, she slowly opened her eyes to find a little puppy staring up at her with pleading eyes.
"What's the matter little one?" Lily asked softly as not to wake James.
The magical pup ran to the backdoor and looked back at Lily.
Lily was about to reluctantly get up as she noticed her wand on the table next to the magically expanded couch she and James were on.
She picked it up and, through the open kitchen door, opened the door to her backyard, letting the pup out. Then, to keep the wind out, she closed the kitchen door almost completely, just enough for the pup to get in again.
Satisfied, she put her head on James' chest and drifted back to sleep again.
When Lily woke up again, she noticed it was eleven thirty already.
"Merlin! They'll be here within half an hour!"
James started to stir beneath her. "What's the matter, Vixen?" He asked sleepily.
"We'll have guests in half an hour and I don't think they'll expect us to be on the couch under a summoned blanket wearing not much more than out birthsuits."
"I see your point."
They withdrew from each other and, after picking up their clothes and shrinking the couch back to its normal state, went upstairs to shower.
Half an hour later, Lily and James were showered and clothed, and Lily just put the pup in their bedroom as she heard Remus arriving.
As she got downstairs, Remus just put some packages under the Christmas Tree.
"Hi, Remus. Merry Christmas!" Lily greeted, hugging the werewolf.
"Merry Christmas, Lily." Remus said.
The next to arrive was Peter and only moments after that came Sirius and Hallie.
After all greetings, they sat around the fireplace.
"So," Sirius said, "Who's gonna open the first package?"
"Remus is closest to the tree, so I think he should randomly pick packages." Hallie said and they all agreed to that.
"But, I want to hand out the first package." Lily said, standing up.
Everyone, except James, raised their eyebrows at this, but Lily got up and walked up the stairs to their bedroom and, with a simple charm, wrapped the pup in a large box.
She lifted it downstairs and handed it to Hallie.
"This is our present for you, we hope you like it."
Curiously, Hallie quickly unwrapped the box, opened it and squeeled in delight.
"Oh Lily! You're the best! He's adorable!" Hallie picked the pup out of the box.
"Don't thank me alone." Lily laughed. "Without James you wouldn't have him."
"Thanks James! I love dogs!"
Sirius' face turned beet-red after those last three words.
"Is there something we need to know, dear old Padfoot?" Remus asked, grinning and Sirius turned even more red, Hallie joining him.
"Know what?" Peter asked. "Am I missing something here?"
"It's about time the two of you made it official!" James said. "You've been fooling around long enough!"
Peter, catching on, grinned too. "You'll have to watch out, mate. She's got enough other wanting guys waiting."
"I don't think it is the blokes he's got to watch out for." Remus said, feigning seriousness.
"What do you mean?" Sirius asked. "It's not like she likes girls!"
"Of course I'm not a lezbo!" Hallie said.
"Yeah, you really should watch your back. You'll no longer be the only dog in the house, mate." James said, grinning.
"How're you going to name the pup? By the way, it's a German Shepherd, but a magical one. We're not to sure about it's powers as of yet, but you'll probably find out soon enough."
"His name is Procyon." Hallie said confidentally.
"Pro-what?" Sirius asked.
"Procyon." Lily said. "Haven't you payed attention in Astronomy?"
"Uh - no!" Sirius said like it was obvious.
"Well, you of all people should know. Procyon is, after the sun, the eight most bright star in the sky, and belongs to the constellation Canis Minor, the counter part of Canis Mayor, from which Sirius is the alpha star."
James grinned. "Aren't you happy, Sirius? You're still the Big Dog."
Sirius poked James in the side, while Peter burst out laughing and Remus snorted.
"That's more than I needed to know." Remus said.
"So, Remus, how about the next package." Lily said, breaking off the subject, but inwardly chuckling. Hallie threw her a gratefull look.
The rest of the unpacking went rather calmly, with occasional teasing from James, Remus and Peter.
All too soon, the day ended and they had to say goodbye after a superb dinner.
"I'm glad they finally are together." Lily said as she got into bed.
"Yeah, 'bout time someone took some control over the dog." James said, grinning as Lily slapped him lightly.
"You just make sure you know you're all mine." Lily said seductively.
---
It's a lot of fluff, but I'm kind of glad about it.
BTW Sorry it took so long for me to update, but I had a really hectic week with school and helping with out family-day.
Anyway, I hope you like it.