Chapter Text
Euphemia’s point of view
Sunday, November 2, 1980
Euphemia was just starting to make her way from her room to the hallway when Gully popped in front of her.
“Good afternoon Gully. Is everything ready to get started? Euphemia questioned the elf. He was going to help her prepare dinner tonight for Sirius’s birthday dinner. She would have just had him make it to begin with but it always was a bit different for her children’s birthday dinner. Sirius had been one of her own since he had set that beautiful warm smile upon her at just the young age of 11. To which would bring them to now, his 21st birthday.< “Yes, Mistress Euphemia. I have all the fixings, the startings for the rolls, the meat is thawing in the fridge, and the pudding ingredients have been found. Is there anything else you want me to prepare for you?” Gully bashfully answered her. He was almost just as excited as she was, Gully loved the boys.
That’s what made everything so much harder about the situation. No one was allowed to go and see each other during this time of war. Not that most of the kids weren’t busy as it was doing things for the war. Monty was constantly in and out of his office, both at home and at the Ministry. It was hard seeing the people and the children that she loved go straight into battle. They were supposed to be kids just a little bit longer. It made her ache in her chest for the times used to be so much easier, and yet harder at the same time.
“Perfect, thank you Gully. Maybe start the oven, I know the Yorkshires will thank you too for it.” Euphemia smiled at him sweetly, and he was gone before she could blink.
The day was in a twirl after that conversation with Gully. Euphemia pulled on her apron and her strong face to make one of the best dinners for Sirius. Gully would be preparing baby bottles for baby Harry, as he isn’t on solids yet. Oh baby Harry, he looked so much like James when he was just a baby. His small little blue eyes gave him Lily’s strong embrace though. And yet, he had Sirius smile in his face with every small giggle he made. You could even see the small bits of Remus in him, through the way he was quiet, observing everything and everyone at once. Harry’s shyness came from Peter she had to remark, even if he wasn’t around them all as much. Everyone would be coming to dinner tonight, even a few friends of the kids. Marelene McKinnon and Mary McDonald, she had met them both before Order meetings, graduation parties, and Marlene had been a healer in training. She was happy that they could all be together, even if she knew what Dumbledore would say.
Euphemia hadn’t been too keen on the idea of even telling Dumbledore about the meeting in the first place. With everything going on lately, and the passing of the Prewett twins at the beginning of the summer was wrecking. Should could remember the moment that Monty had told her, Moody had given him word after their mission. She wasn’t allowed to know the details of the meeting, which bothered her, but from what Monty said the twins would have empty caskets. James had come over that night, he was weeping softly in her arms. He didn’t want to bring a baby into this world knowing that everything was going on. There would be so much risk, and he just wanted to keep his family safe. It hit her hard that night about what protecting truly meant. Monty and her had raised James to be quickly prepared for almost everything. And yet, here she was standing in her kitchen wondering if it was enough.
Her train of thought was broken by exactly what she was thinking about, “Oi, hi Mum! We don’t mean to be early but Harry was getting fussy in his outfit. So we thought we’d bring him over while he still looked nice. Lily is in the living room with Dad and Harry. Is everything okay, Mum?” James spoke, swinging the kitchen door open.
“Oh hi, yes dear everything is alright. Just finishing up the gravy for dinner. How are you doing dear?” Euphemia shook her thoughts, she would come back to this later.
“I’m doing okay,” James let out a sigh. “Just thinking you know.”
“About what? If I may ask.” Euphemia paused her stirring to stare at her son. James had grown up beautifully, strong, and so amazingly brilliant. He has offers to so many Quidditch teams after school. James being the James he is, wanted to fight right after school. Inspiring his friends to do the same, knowing that it would shape the ways they live forever.
“Oh, just Harry and Lily like always. Sirius and I went out on a mission a couple nights ago, found a couple of death eaters hanging around some…” James turned up to look at his mother from his seat at the kitchen table. “Important things to the order, or at least the drop off spot. So we had to stand guard while the shipment came in that night.” He took his glasses off, and swiped his hand over his face.
The more this war goes on the older he gets, and yet here he is only 20 years old. Aiming to fight for his family, his friends, his old classmates, and some moments it shows more than others. Euphemia feels a sense of happiness that he can talk to her, and yet there's a burden that weighs on her chest after every conversation. Like she could be doing something more for him.
“And everything went okay. We saved the shipment and no one was injured. Well no one on our side did, a couple of death eaters stumbled and apparated away. But my brain just keeps going back to Harry you know? And then Lily has started working on her potions at home now. She’s off maternity leave, but Dumbledore said that she needs to start on a few select potions we need. Too much to get past the potions residents than just a few tests. Then there’s Remus and Peter who have been doing work within the Ministry and werewolf packs. It never seems to end Mum, just one thing after another.” James lets out a breath putting his glasses back on his face, along with a smile that no one could resist smiling back at.
“I know honey, it’s been so tough lately. You are doing an amazing job though. Every small fight is just a step closer to the end of this whole shitty ass mess.” Euphemia reassures him, as she presses a small kiss onto his forehead.
“James! Your son has just made the cutest little face in his whole 3 months!” Lily exclaims at them as she comes in the kitchen door.
They both look up at her with bright wide smiles, but there’s a twinkle in each of their eyes. Lily sweeps in with Monty behind her, holding Harry up in his arms. Euphemia thinks for a moment in her mind about how she loves these small moments so much. Watching her son and his wife play with their son. A moment that she would imagine over and over again, until she couldn’t remember the way Harry stuck his tongue out of his mouth. The way that James would crinkle his nose when he laughed, Lily’s giggle as she told Harry boo. It would make all of what she would do worth it.
Sirius and Remus would be the next to walk in, saying that Marlene would be working a bit late at the hospital. Mary and Peter came in together, Mary doesn’t work in the Ministry world, but is still in the Order. Peter works for the Ministry and has accompanied Monty on multiple lunch meetings. They would have drinks and the first round while Sirius talked about all the years of the great life of pranksters they lived in highschool. Which received many fits of laughter and stories that lead one after another. Euphemia wasn’t all that hungry so instead took pride in holding Harry while dinner was eaten.
“Lily, will you please take Harry? I’m going to grab the pudding.” Euphemia rose from her chair with Harry flapping his hands all about. Lily had been teaching Harry sign language, this sign meant he was all done.
“No please let me hold my godson!! I haven’t seen him in ages!” Sirius piqued with open hands to grab Harry away from anyone else.
“Sirius, we just had him for the night on Friday.” Remus teases him with no anger in his voice. Remus turns his head to look up at Harry and Sirius and he gives a warm smile.
Euphemia turned and walked to the kitchen to get the chocolate fudge birthday cake that she had made for Sirius earlier. There were exactly 21 candles upon the cake. Monty had insisted that they put 22 just to see if he could tell, but Euphemia broke him down. Marlene had walked in just as Euphemia was walking in with the cake, looking in her direction Marlene starts sining,
“Happy birthday to you!” Leaving a space for everyone to join in, Monty goes to flicker the lights off. “Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to Sirius,”
James abruptly shouts, “PADFOOT”. They all look at him and break down into laughter and continue. “Happy birthday to youuuuu!”
And it is right at the end of the song, Harry begins to cry. Making funny faces at him, Sirius leans down and blows out the candles. Everyone begins to clap and Lily immediately takes Harry into her hands from Sirius. Effie has noticed this lately, that Lily has been keeping an eye on who is with Harry and who doesn’t. Yes of course Harry comes over to their house, but he is yet to go with Lily’s parents or her sister. But as far as she knew Sirius and Remus had the baby (while staying at the younger Potter residence) at least twice a week.
“Gully will you go get some more napkins and some water in a bottle for Harry please.” Euphemia asks, the moment she said Gully’s name he was standing by her side.
They cut the cake and handed out slices to everyone. Now that Marlene was there the group could talk about everything that had been going on. To which, Monty and Effie already knew more than they did about what was going on. What exactly was that? Not very much. So far everything that had been known, was mere and small things like James had mentioned. Small groups being led by death eaters to destroy or harm certain individuals or targets. Dumbledore has Monty running mad, there are so many Ministry individuals as well that are running for stricter muggleborn laws. Some of these come off as “simple precautions” for younger wizards. While other laws did the opposite, putting older and protected wizards at harm's hand. Of course not everyone saw it this way, not at all.
The Daily Prophet was doing that all on its own. Presenting these obscure and tragic ideas a protection matters for wizards. But what even exactly is a wizard to people today?
Effie shook the idea from her mind, and brought herself back into the kitchen with Monty and Harry.
“Are you okay there, love?” Monty tenderly asks her, swaying baby Harry in his arms.
“Yes dear, just oh well I wish we could do something about all of this. I am so sick of just being there to patch them all up when they're done. Watching James and Sirius come back from missions with pale skin and bleeding cuts. Remus coming home early in the mornings from transforming. The girls, oh the girls, they’re just trying to help in all the ways that they can. I feel like we need to do something, be there, I don’t know.” Effie admits to him there. She can feel the tears rising in her face, but never while James was around or awake.
“Oh honey,” Monty brings her to a chair and sits next to her. “I know the feeling. All these days at the Ministry, trying to figure out who is fighting for what and how they want to solve it. Everyone has different ideas about what should be going on and the ways to handle it. Alastor says they're having difficulties recruiting right now. Doesn’t seem like everyone is into fighting just as much as they say they are.”
Effie presses her hand to her forehead, that’s what she was afraid of. Not as many people are ready to put themselves or their families on the line. And just about now Effie is wondering why she didn’t do the same for hers.
“Monty ,there needs to be something else we can do, another way. We just need to protect Harry, James, Sirius, Lily, and Remus oh all of them.” Effie feels her eyes prickle.
“I know, maybe we’ll find a way. There’s just got to be something that can be done to end this madness.” Monty puts his glasses down on the table pinching the bridge of his nose.
Effie picks up little Harry out of his arms, wrapping him up tightly in his swaddle blanket. “Don’t worry Harry, Grams and Gramps will always have you.”
Friday, November 7, 1980
Effie was wondering about her office at St. Mungo's Healing Hospital, when the owl came swooping in the door.
“Dear Mum,
I know you’ve been working today, but I was wondering if you’d want to watch Harry tonight? Lily and I have a mission that is basically all night security. We would just have Sirius and Remus watch him, but we’ve been getting the feeling they need some “alone time”. Anyways there’s no one more in the world we trust!! I sent an owl along to dad as well, and he's already responded as I’m writing to you. He;s just about to leave the Ministry, so he’ll watch Harry until you get home. So basically now this is a notifying letter. Thank you loads, we'll come around tomorrow afternoon to pick him up. I would say right after we get off, but I’m taking a note out of Remus’s book and surprising Lily to breakfast in bed. Anyways, cheers!!
Love, Jamie”
Well at least she would get to see baby Harry today. That would most definitely lift her spirits right up. It had been a long day at the hospital. People coming in with injuries that they could not explain. Grieving family members that come in to take home, what they’ve truly lost in their hearts. She was constantly going into potions lair for remedies and skele-grow surprisingly. It’s not that often she actually does get to run into Lily. Lily is constantly on the move and working on important projects. Because she is such a young in training potioner, she has the versatility to be secretive and quick on her feet. Effie sometimes wishes she had that same adrenaline and ambition to the order as Lily. No longer does she see it that way though, it's more than just protecting wizards at this point.
When Effie knocks on her door, she is ready to slip into her pajamas for the night. She cannot do that yet though. Gully appears as the door opens, taking her bag and shoes. As Gully scrambles away she can smell the faint cookings of tomato sauce and some form of garlic bread. These are the types of moments she is more than grateful to have a house elf. She wasn’t completely on board with the idea when Monty first told her that Gully would be staying with them. Although for the most part, Gully was very helpful in everything she did.
“Gully, can you do me a favor?” Effie called down the hallway at the elf.
“Yes Mistress Euphemia?” The quiet house elf respected her, at least she hoped. On the other hand, being called “mistress” all the time wasn’t the most appealing. Yet she couldn’t find another word Gully would say.
“Will you put the protection spells over the house tonight? Monty did his spells already but they have to be reset now that I’m inside. And I am just a little too tired to remember all the ones he used.” Effie said as she exhaled.
“Yes Mistress” Gully responded with an ecstatic smile. Turning to take Euphemia’s coat, she traveled the opposite way to the door.
As Effie walked down the hall to the living room, she gazed at all the pictures on the wall. There were so many photos ranging on the wall for all the guests to see as they walk into the house. Old family members who had long and gone past. All of the portraits were on another side of the house. Not that Euphemia liked to go over there much. It sometimes freaked her out. The idea that you live forever more in a painting? Why not want to go with your family to whatever is next? She continues walking down the hall a bit, dragging her hand across the frames. Not a layer of dust on anything, Gully deserves a pecan pie soon. Effie drags her hand slowly to the next set of pictures, Monty and Effie’s life story. The day that he asked her to marry him, the day that they got married, and so much more. They experienced so much and saw so much wonderful old and great magic. Every step that she took felt like she was living in paradise. That was until they had told her she may not be able to bear children. Oh the heartache that she had felt in that moment. Crying for days is what felt necessary when it happened, and to which Monty let her. He would come into the room after work, and just hold her. Tell her sweet nothings until she wasn’t crying and just breathing very heavily. But nonetheless, they tried and tried. Until one day they were bestowed with their magical gift of James Fleamont Potter. His baby pictures could fill up all the walls of the Potter Manor. Monty would never let his ego get that big however. A few more steps down, and she can see two little boys in more of the photos than not. Oh, when Sirius was in James' life did it make the biggest difference. James found a new side to life, and welcomed it with open arms. Just as he did with Remus and Peter. The photos show bright gleaming smiles, and ruffled hair all around. All the boys had basically become inseparable by the age of 15, and there was no stopping them.
Small fits of giggles started to fill the air as she walked closer to the door frame of the sitting room. The corners of her mouth turning up, as she brought her hands up to cover her face, “Guess who’s home!”
Monty turned around with Harry in his arms, “Oi, Harry, let's see who’s coming to join us!”
Effie popped out from behind her hands, “Hi Harry! It's Gram, have you been playing with Gramps tonight!”
“Someone is ready for a bottle for sure, after the nappy changes obviously.” Monty turns to kiss Euphemia on the cheek. “How was your day, love?”
“It was a very long day today.” Effie takes a squirming Harry out of his hands. “Long lists of people that need to be informed about their loved ones. Multiple people coming in with injuries that cannot be explained or simply don’t want to. Which makes things even more difficult for treatment reasons. I just wish that there was more I could do. The Heads of St. Mungo’s are starting to get frightened. More and more injuries come in everyday and we’re having to cut back on supplies needed in other departments. Ugh, it is a mess Monty.”
“I’m sorry love, I wish there was something I could do to help.” And Monty pulled her into a tight embrace, with Harry moving all about. “Yes yes Harry don't worry, bed time will be soon”
After they changed Harry’s nappy and then played for a bit, they had dinner. A warm spaghetti bolognese with garlic bread, and a wonderful treacle tart. Effie got up and started preparing Harry a bottle while Monty did the dishes. Winding down for the night Gully prepared a tea tray for them and left it in the sitting room for them. Gully had been set to prepare the baby room for Harry. Effie took Harry from his highchair and swaddled him up. She took him and sat him in a rocking chair next to the fire. Monty started a fire in the fireplace, and grabbed a book to read. Effie looked down at baby Harry, and as she rocked him, began to tell him a story.
“There once was a tale of the Three Brothers, who were traveling along a windy road at twilight.”
“Aw, Effie darling, say midnight. He’s just a small boy.” Monty quietly interrupts her, gently grabbing his tea mug.
She gives him a small smirk, and he returns it to her.
“There once was a tale of Three Brothers, who were traveling along a windy road at midnight. While they were walking they came upon a stream with no way to get across. The eldest brother, Antioch Peverell, simply said that they should turn around and try another route. While the second brother, Cambus, pulled out his wand staring at his brother wondering if he remembered he had a wand as well.
Cambus and his younger brother, Ignotous, took their wands and formed a bridge magically. As they began to cross, they met Death himself. Death was upset, usually travelers drown in the river, attempting to make it across. Pretending to congratulate them, Death offered each brother a gift.
Antioch, a strong willed and ambitious man, asked for a wand more powerful than any other. For he had unfinished business with many others. So Death cut a branch from a nearby Elder tree, and fashioned him a wand.
Cambus, a grief stricken and lonely man, wanted the opposite of what Death could offer. He asked for a way to recall loved ones back from the dead. Death plucked a stone from the stream, and gave it a small kiss.
Ignotus, the youngest of the brothers, was humble and fragile. He was not in the belief that Death would reward them. Ignotus asked for something that would allow him to leave from this and not have Death follow him. In return, Death turned to his side and tore off a piece of his own cloak of invisibility.
From there on, the brothers separated on their travels. Antioch went to find his old dueling competitor, and finish the battle they started. Antioch went onto winning the battle, and claiming bragging rights amongst the others. Later that night when he was sleeping, someone stole the want from him. And just for good measures, killed Antioch.
Cambus went traveling on home, and immediately turned to the stone. Lifting it up in his hands he called for his late wife. And there she appeared, more than ghostly but less than human.”
“Booooo!” Monty starts to call. Harry slightly flinches, and rests his eyes very softly. Effie represses a giggle, letting her shoulders slightly shake for his amusement. She turns back to Harry to continue the story.
“For she had missed her husband Cumbas, but she started to grow sad. For she did not belong in the mortal world anymore. And so Cambus took his life, to be with her forevermore.
Now Ignotus, wrapped the cloak around himself and left from the bridge. After the brothers were gone, Death searched for many years in search of Ignotus. It wasn’t until Ignotus was of great age that he took off the invisibility cloak, and gave it to his son.
Only then did he greet Death like an old friend. And they departed this life together, as equals.”
“Only when he is a big boy, will he get his chance. James had said something about using it on a mission for the Order. The cloak of course.” Monty began to say after she finished her story.
“Oh really? Did he say what he would be using it for? Or who he would be with? Not that it wouldn’t be a tremendous help to the Order..” Effie bit her lip as she looked at her sweet, brave husband.
“But it's James, I know. I think I might be feeling the same way. The risk of the death eaters finding out about it would completely ruin the point of it. It needs to stay safe, that way it will keep Harry safe. And no he didn’t mention all of the details, just said how he had been thinking about it. I think these days now that Harry is here, he’s getting more protective. Over everyone too, apparently on Sirius and James’ mission the other night he almost made a risky move. Alastor said he wouldn’t hold it against him this time, but he needs to start thinking a little more clearly. James made a move that protected the cargo over himself.” Monty set his mug down on the table. He was starting to look much older these days, the frown linens in his forehead were more defined.
“I know that Lily had done some work around some protection spells Remus was researching. I don’t know how far they got on that though. But there has to be something, Fleamont.” Euphemia can feel the tears brimming her eyes. Harry stirs a bit in her arms, and then rests again in the crook of her shoulder.
“We’ll find something love, I know we can” Monty crouches down beside her rocking chair, and cups her cheek.
“I love you so much,” Effie whispers to him.
“I love you more dear.” Monty replies and gives her a small soft kiss on the lips.
Monty took Harry from her arms, and began to take him up to his room. Euphemia lies there in the rocking chair, staring at the fire. She makes one promise to herself, and that is whatever it takes to save her family she will take it.
Jame’s point of view
Saturday, November 8, 1980
As they stepped through the fireplace, making sure he still had a firm grip on Lily’s arm. There was no way that he was letting go of her before he knew they were safe.
“Oi, I’m okay you can ease your grip James.” Lily laughed as she brushed his hand away.
“And why would I do that sweetheart?” James gives her a ravishing smirk, hoping it takes the sleep away from his eyes.
“Is that so, you know we have no baby around?” Lily smirks over at him.
“I’ve already got our plans set, don't you worry. Just go take a nice hot steamy shower, and I’ll figure out the rest.” James wiggles his eyebrows at her and places a wet kiss on her lips.
Lily shrieks as she feels the saliva on her lips, and bursts from his arms. She starts giggling and pointing at him, while she runs down the hallways to the bathroom. James follows her about halfway, before she gives a belly laugh and closes the bathroom door.
James did plan on making Lily breakfast before when he came up with the idea originally. But seeing as they had more of an intensive night than he expected, opped for the bakery. James quietly made his way to the bakery just across the street from them, grabbing chocolate croissants, ham and cheese rolls, and not to forget the crumpets with kippers.
Smelling the lavender as he walked in the door was like a breath of fresh air. James had just enough time to make up the bed, put all the pastries on a tray, and grab a few glasses. They had some orange juice in the house, and he had thought about alcohol. But he remembered that it was a Sirius’s dream bed and breakfast, and decided against it. He finally settled on a few candles to lighten up the mood. James didn’t want to push it, but it had been a while since they had some alone time. With everything going on in the war, baby Harry was only three months old, and they were spending time with everyone as often as they could.
Lily pulls him out of his daze as she walks into the bedroom, “Oi, what is all this? Did you do all of this for us?”
“I sure did! I was just making sure I didn’t miss anything. I got most of the bedroom done last night. Making the bed and getting all your favorite things. Your favorite joggers, my comfiest jumper, and your favorite lavender essentials.” James was beaming at this point. “I just went down to the bakery to pick up some pastries for us for breakfast, and we also have some orange juice. I was gonna go the alcohol route, but opted for quality time instead.”
“Well then let me just change into these clothes real quick,” Lily gives a shy smile as she turns the other way from him. Slowly and making sure his eyes are completely and totally entranced with her. Lily takes one side of the towel and starts to pull it down.
James is liking the way this is going more than he imagined. Lily’s soft pale skin, the way her small brown freckles made permanent beauty marks on her skin. She was utterly, breathtakingly beautiful. He was going to leave the room while she got dressed, but mostly because he didn’t want to push her. Obviously he wanted to see the way she rubbed the kind smelling lotion up her slim slender legs. And now it was like she was drawing him into her schemes, just like how he fell for her.