Saturday, October 31st, 1977 – Halloween
As Lily and James approached the gargoyle statute standing guard outside Dumbledore's office, it moved to the side at the sight of them, as the wall it guarded parted, revealing a stairwell.
"It appears Albus knows we're here," James said.
Lily nodded. She led James up the stairs. When they arrived at the door to Dumbledore's office, it opened. They stepped into the office where they found Professor Dumbledore sitting at his desk, and Professor Minerva McGonagall standing near the desk.
"Mr. Potter, Miss Evans," Albus said; he motioned to the chairs on the other side of his desk, "Please take a seat."
Lily and James crossed the room and sat down in the chairs.
"Madam Pomfrey informed me that the two of you needed to speak to Professor McGonagall and myself," Albus said, "Is this correct?"
"Yes, sir," James said.
"It is not every day I am instructed by the Hogwarts nurse to meet with students in my own office," Albus said, "So I am sure you can guess that I am most curious. Would you please fill me in on why we are meeting this evening?"
"Earlier this evening, after the Halloween Feast," Lily said, "as James and I were on our way back to our Private Quarters, I was hit with a wave of nausea. I retreated into the nearest restroom to vomit. When I was finished, James knew what had happened, and he told me he was taking me to the Hospital Wing."
"I was afraid she had been hit by a hex during the battle, sir," James said. "I wanted to make sure she was okay."
"A wise decision, Mr. Potter," Minerva said.
"I assume you met with Madam Pomfrey," Albus said. "What did you discover?"
"Something a bit more surprising than a hex," Lily said. "I found out that the nausea was more commonly referred to as morning sickness. It turns out I am pregnant with twins."
"Good Merlin, Miss Evans!" Minerva exclaimed, covering her mouth with her hand.
"Do you know the identity of the father?" Albus asked.
James raised his hand, and both Albus and Minerva looked at him in mild surprise.
"Madam Pomfrey gave me a Pregnancy Potions Kit," Lily said, "And said she would discuss more with us tomorrow. While I have not discovered the estimated due date, nor the exact date of conception, I am quite positive conception was before we came to Hogwarts this term. James and I started dating in secret starting late July, early August. We started a sexual relationship closer to the end of August, and as I alluded to, I was probably pregnant by the time I boarded the Hogwarts Express. Before James and I officially began our Head Duties."
"Headmaster Dumbledore informed me prior to the Halloween Feast," Minerva said, "that you were the Bengal Tiger who participated in defending Hogsmeade from the Death Eater attack, Miss Evans."
"Yes, ma'am," Lily said, "I let him know it was me, and we came up with a story so my Animagus identity would not be revealed to the student body as a whole. Thank you for agreeing to assist in the story."
"You're welcome," Minerva said, "It is an excellent achievement. I'm going to assume you participated in the attack without any knowledge of your pregnancy?"
"I was in complete surprise when I discovered I was pregnant, ma'am," Lily said; it was the truth, but her version of the answer was not the one McGonagall knew.
"Do you know why Madam Pomfrey wanted you to inform the Headmaster and myself?" Minerva asked.
"According to her," Lily said, "We're here to discuss the future of my education concerning my pregnancy."
"Miss Evans, you're not the first pregnant student to walk these hall and take classes," Minerva said. "There's been about a dozen since I started teaching here. And I distinctly remember two pregnant women here in the time when I was a student. At least five of those girls were under the age of seventeen. I'm sure Headmaster Dumbledore can add to that number since he's been here."
"Indeed," Albus said, "I remember one particular young witch – she started going into labor during a Quidditch match! Luckily she was an audience member and not a player. She had four babies that day: two boys, and two girls. The young mother was a sixth year at the time. She returned for her seventh year, have a wonderful final year of her education and passed her NEWT exams, all while raising her children here at Hogwarts during school-term. They all grew up to become students here, and were all wonderful members of our society. Three students currently in this castle are grandchildren of two of them and their spouses."
"To be honest, I'm surprised there aren't more in your condition, Miss Evans," Minerva said, "given the fact that the British wizarding society is in the middle of a war. It is common for teenage pregnancy and marriage during wartime. The reason for these tales? If you had any fear of expulsion due to your condition as you were making your way up here – well – I thought you were smarter than that, young lady."
"Perhaps not expulsion," Lily said, "Maybe loss of my Head Girl status."
"Were you planning on making this public news around Hogwarts?" Minerva asked.
"No, ma'am!" Lily exclaimed. "In fact, we're hoping to keep it a secret until I start showing. We're not sure we even want our closest friends to know yet."
"If you were to lose your status as Head Girl," Minerva said, "There would be rumors and questions. Your pregnancy would be revealed due to that instead of by your own decision. As you said, you're quite sure your pregnancy started before you officially started your Head Girl duties?"
"Quite sure, ma'am," Lily said; that was quite honest – technically, her twins were conceived over three years after she finished her Head Girl duties.
"Then the – ah – event that caused your pregnancy was not done on school grounds," Minerva said, "Therefore, I cannot punish you because of that."
"And if such relations continued... on school grounds?" Lily asked, wincing.
"I'm sure Minerva understands that pregnant women have needs," Albus said, with an amused smile.
Minerva looked rather shocked at the Headmaster. James snickered softly, before he was sobered by Minerva's stare.
"We would not want to cause any harm toward yourself and your babies, Miss Evans," Albus said, continuing to smile, "Whatever you feel would help assist you in your pregnancy is okay by me."
Lily tried to hide the blush coming to her cheeks. "Thank you, Headmaster. I believe Madam Pomfrey's concern about the future of my education has more to do with my classes and the dangers they may represent. Dangerous fumes in Potions class, for example. Possibility of misfired spells being cast in Defense, Charms and Transfiguration."
"I can understand Madam Pomfrey's concerns," Albus said. "While I will promise to keep your condition a secret from the rest of the staff for as long as possible, I will also try to handle your class situations in the best and most delicate way possible. Come see me tomorrow evening around this time, and I will have a solution for you, Miss Evans."
"Yes, Headmaster," Lily said.
"I would imagine your babies will be born before your education ends here, Miss Evans?" Albus asked.
"Sometime between late April and early June is my guess," Lily said, "I'll find out for sure tomorrow. But yes, they'll be born while I'm still here at Hogwarts, sir."
"In regular cases," Albus said, "You would have been moved to Private Quarters to prepare for your babies, and care for them when they arrive. Fortunately, as you know, you're already in the Head Student Private Quarters. So there is no real issue with that. If you, myself, Professor McGonagall, or Madam Pomfrey feel that your classes could endanger your pregnancy, and/or babies at anytime in the future, you can feel free to remove yourself from that class. Private studies for any needed class will be available to you if that were to happen. In fact, such an event might happen once your babies are born."
"Thank you, sir," Lily said.
"I also ask you to inform me when you feel it will be time to reveal your condition to Hogwarts in general," Albus said, "I will do my best to handle the damage control."
"Yes, sir," Lily said.
"Please know that myself, Professor McGonagall, and Madam Pomfrey are all available if you need any help," Albus said. "Do you have any questions at this moment?"
"Are any of her normal student privileges revoked?" James asked. "For example, Hogsmeade weekends? I mean, what with the Death Eater attack..."
"Actions are being taken to secure Hogsmeade Village from future attacks, Mr. Potter," Albus said. "If there comes a time when Miss Evans' permission would be revoked, you can rest assured it would be because all students' permission would be revoked, and not just Miss Evans, due to her condition. As for other privileges. You are not a member of the Quidditch team, Miss Evans, so obviously that doesn't concern you. As I alluded to earlier, your safety concerns when it comes to protecting yourself, and your unborn children, during everyday activities will be discussed more tomorrow once I can work out all the details."
"What about my Animagus ability?" Lily asked.
"Are you planning on transforming into your Animagus form any time soon, Miss Evans?" Minerva asked.
Lily winced. She had been planning on going on the Full Moon Run that evening
"As I explained to Professor Dumbledore," Lily said, "I am researching Animagi for my Final Transfiguration Report."
"Miss Evans, I have half-a-mind to give you an Outstanding on your Report right this minute," Minerva said. "However, I am well-aware that you do nothing half-done, so you would never accept such a grade without doing your work. Animagus Transformations are completely harmless to your pregnancy until your seventh month. Before then, you have my permission to perform your transformation. I'm sure you'll have enough research for your Report before that time comes."
"Yes, ma'am," Lily said, "Thank you, ma'am."
"Headmaster, earlier you discussed the possibility of private studies for Lily," James said, "Will I be given the same privilege as the father of her babies?"
"After the children are born," Albus said, "You will be given that option. I believe your family owns house-elves, James?"
"A few, sir," James said, "Including one who was my nanny and handmaiden when I was younger."
"If you wish," Albus said, "You may bring a house-elf to Hogwarts after your babies are born, to assist you with their care. Or if you wish, a Hogwarts house-elf will be happy to assist you. This might give you the opportunity to finish your classes after the babies are born."
"Alright," James said.
"Will you be informing your parents about this news?" Minerva asked.
"We've discussed it briefly," Lily said. "We'll likely inform them in the next few days."
"Do inform me if your parents wish to see you before you head home for Christmas Break," Albus said.
"Yes, sir," Lily said, and James nodded.
"Do you have any more questions?" Albus asked.
Lily glanced at James, and he shook his head. Lily turned to Albus and shook her head as well.
"Very well," Albus said, "Thank you for informing us of this wonderful news. Congratulations on your pregnancy. I look forward to meeting the next generation of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter in the near future. I will expect you here tomorrow evening, Miss Evans, and you may join her if you wish, Mr. Potter."
"I'll be here, sir," James said.
"Then I will see you tomorrow," Albus said. "You are both excused. Have a wonderful evening."
Lily and James thanked the Headmaster. They stood and proceeded to leave the office.
As the Head Students left the office, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore relaxed in his comfortable leather chair. Minerva rounded the desk and sat down in one of the chairs the students were sitting in moments before.
"Lily Evans – pregnant!" Minerva said, "She's the last person I ever expected to be in this position while still a student in Hogwarts. I had a good feeling that Lily would see past her insecurities toward James Potter, finally accept a date that James has been wanting for years, and they would begin a romantic relationship. But I never could have expected this!"
"Oh, Minerva," Albus said, "I doubt even teenage pregnancy could stop a fine student like Lily Evans from finishing her education here as one of the best students Hogwarts has had this century."
"Well, I have no doubts about that, Albus," Minerva said. "In fact, I'm quite sure she completed her Animagus transformation during the early weeks of her pregnancy, which is an amazing feat in itself."
"You think she completed her transformation while here at Hogwarts?" Albus asked.
"Very recently, Albus," Minerva said, "I'm sure of it. As a fellow feline Animagus, I think I would have sensed it at some point in time. It is as if her first transformation was today even! The scent I picked up from her, that of her tiger, I never smelled it on her before today."
"I did discover her and James appearing from an alleyway, Minerva," Albus said, smiling in amusement, "Perhaps they were in that alleyway, because she had the misfortune to end up naked when returning to her human form. Which, as you know, is an early mistake in those just beginning their transformations."
"If this was her first transformation, then she is the most brilliant Animagus I've ever met, Albus," Minerva said. "She attacked and trampled Death Eaters today. If I was correct in detecting her scent, she ran clear across the Village in her Tiger form, from the south side of the village, to the north. She had enough control over herself to keep her Animagus form while exerting so much energy, as well as adrenaline of rushing through battles and spell-fire. That is usually unheard of, Albus! If you ask me, she showed experience of an Animagus who has honed her skills for at least a year of casual transformations. Which is impossible, because I would have detected her before."
"Then if this is not her first transformation," Albus said, "How would you explain it?"
"I can't explain it," Minerva said. "She is a mystery."
"That she is," Albus agreed.
"There's something else," Minerva said, "Her desire for future transformations during her pregnancy concerns me, Albus."
"Oh?" Albus asked.
"When Mr. Potter revealed his Animagus transformation to us in June," Minerva said, "You asked him why Mr. Lupin did not attack Mr. Potter in his werewolf form."
"I remember," Albus said.
"James told us that he had been keeping Remus company during many Full Moons in the past," Minerva said. "That Remus' werewolf recognized James' stag."
"Indeed," Albus said, "I've discovered they go on Runs through the Forbidden Forest during the Full Moon, then James keeps Remus company in the Shrieking Shack. I've allowed it to happen, because it ensures that Remus would never get close to Hogwarts in his werewolf form while James is watching him."
"That is all very well, Albus," Minerva said. "But that is not my point here."
"You believe Lily will join James and Remus this evening during the Full Moon," Albus said; it was not a question.
"Yes," Minerva said. "Lily is pregnant, Albus. I am certain this is the first time Remus' werewolf will meet Lily's Tiger."
"James would never allow Remus to harm Lily," Albus said. "James protected Severus Snape from Remus in June. James and Severus don't see eye-to-eye. You know this. However, it is rather evident that James loves Lily. Lily will be very safe with James, and probably would have been even if she wasn't pregnant with his twins. Of course, if you still worry about Lily, you could always accompany them in your own Animagus form."
"I'm a common house-cat, Albus!" Minerva exclaimed, "Lily is -"
"A Bengal Tiger," Albus interrupted with a smile, "One of the fiercest animals on this earth. Nearly as fierce as a pregnant mother protecting her children, unborn or otherwise. Combine the two and even Voldemort might flee from Lily if he were to meet her."
Minerva huffed. "You shouldn't take this so lightly, Albus. We were all very lucky this afternoon in Hogsmeade. You-Know-Who..."
Albus glanced at Minerva through his spectacles.
"Oh, alright," Minerva said, "Voldemort could have turned his wand on any of us instead of yourself and killed us. We would have been distracted by his Death Eaters assisting him. We were very lucky there were no student deaths."
"James and Lily assisted in that with their Animagi," Albus said, "One of them is responsible for at least one – if not more – of the Death Eater's deaths. And that was before Lily discovered she was pregnant."
"Fine," Minerva said, "She'll probably be just fine if she decides to join James and Remus in the forest this evening. As for the issues concerning her and her unborn children's safety whilst in classes and around Hogwarts? She was quite correct to worry about spells in the classroom, Albus."
"Indeed, she was," Albus said, "Between this evening and tomorrow evening, I will be constructing an Amulet of Maternity."
Minerva nodded. "The amulet protects mothers and their unborn children as long as they are pregnant. Most common spells used in classes and around Hogwarts will bounce off of her harmlessly."
"Indeed," Albus said. "I will also inform Professor Gosling and Professor Flitwick that she is not permitted to be involved in any kind of dueling."
"What will you tell them the reason is?" Minerva asked.
"When her parents discover her condition," Albus said, "I'm sure they would hope that she isn't involved in any dueling. I'll merely inform any staff who needs to know that Miss Evans' parents explicitly gave me such a request for personal reasons."
Minerva nodded again. "I'm sure that will suit their concerns. What are we going to do when Lily's pregnancy becomes public news?"
"As I alluded to with Lily," Albus said, "We'll discuss that with her when it comes time. If Lily is okay with it, I'll make a formal announcement during a meal in the Great Hall, where I will inform the student body of the special rules for pregnant students."
"We'll need to be ready for anything," Minerva said. "Some students will not appreciate the news that a Muggleborn is pregnant with the future Lord of a well-known Ancient and Most Noble House, especially one which was consistently a pureblood bloodline before now."
"It will all be taken care of, Minerva," Albus said.
"Alright," Minerva said. "Well, between this wonderful news, and the aftermath of the Hogsmeade attack, I'm sure you have a busy evening, Albus. I will let you get on with it. I have much to do myself. I need to reflect more about Lily's Tiger Animagus. Perhaps I will be able to find some answers to my questions concerning her."
"I wish you the best of luck," Albus said. "Have a good evening, Minerva."
Minerva echoed his sentiments, stood from her chair and left the office. Meanwhile, Albus popped a lemon drop in his mouth and sucked on it, as he relaxed back in his chair.