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CHAPTER SEVENTY FOUR - 🍂୧ we'll. . .
face it together ও🦌

AUTUMN EXPERIENCED A WHIRLWIND of events in just a few months, she found it challenging to express the magnitude of her experiences. She had the pleasure of meeting Fabian and Gideon's lovely family, and they quickly became an integral part of both her and even James' lives.

The Order was gaining momentum, with assignments running smoothly and minimal setbacks. Everything seemed promising.

However, as with all good things, there was a catch. Autumn and her friends found themselves face to face with the Dark Lord once again, enduring an encounter that compelled them to flee once more, refusing his tempting offer to join his ranks.

This particular encounter was different, as it involved Raven, Peter, and Remus, who unintentionally unveiled the past encounter between Autumn, James, Sirius, and Lily with the Dark Lord.

However, the revelation of the previous encounter brought a level of openness within the Order. Due to the established trust among the members, the younger ones paired with the older ones, casting no doubt on potential leaks of information. Although concerns may have lingered beneath the surface, the bonds forged through partnerships prevented any significant strain within the Order.

Towards the end of 1979, Autumn's life took an unexpected turn during the fall months. It all began in the early morning of November 9th, when she started experiencing a decrease in energy levels and inexplicable mood swings. Dealing with her emotions became a challenge she couldn't fully comprehend or control.

Lily, being the perceptive friend that she was, immediately caught on to Autumn's unusual behaviour. She noticed the fatigue, the subtle mood swings, and the general unease that her friend tried to conceal. She observed how Autumn would sometimes retreat to the nearest bathroom, and she had seen the signs before.

Lily, with her gentle and tactful approach, cornered Autumn after one of her trips to the bathroom. She waited until they were in a private corner of the Order's headquarters, away from prying eyes and ears.

"Autumn," Lily began, her voice soft but firm. "Can we talk for a minute?"

Autumn, who had been in the middle of massaging her temples to ease a persistent headache, looked up at Lily with a mixture of resignation and irritation. She could tell by the determined look on Lily's face that this conversation was inevitable.

"Yeah," Autumn finally responded, her voice filled with just a hint of reluctance. She knew there was no hiding her symptoms from Lily, and she had a feeling she knew where this conversation was headed. She braced herself for the inevitable questioning.

Lily didn't waste any time, getting straight to the point. "You've been extra tired lately, haven't you?" she asked, her eyes searching Autumn's face intently, seeking any sign of denial.

Autumn didn't bother to lie. She knew trying to dodge Lily's pointed questions was futile. Letting out a sigh, she gave a reluctant nod. "Yeah, I have. I've been feeling exhausted for no apparent reason."

Lily's gaze softened, filled with a mix of concern and understanding. "And you've been going to the bathroom more often too, haven't you?"

Autumn's heart skipped a beat. Somehow, Lily always knew these things before she herself had even connected the dots. She gave another nod, her defences lowering.

Lily's voice dropped to a low whisper, her concern laced with hope. "Autumn," she began tentatively, "Have you thought... Have you considered that there might be a different reason for your fatigue?"

The realization suddenly dawned on Autumn like a bolt of lightning. The fatigue, the bathroom trips, the mood swings - she hadn't been paying attention, or perhaps she had refused to see it. As Lily's words sunk in, Autumn's hand instinctively went to her abdomen. The suspicion was both confusing and terrifying.

Autumn's mind raced, trying to process this startling possibility. "I... I hadn't even considered it," she confessed, her voice a hushed whisper. "But now, with you pointing it out..."

Her heart was pounding, and she swallowed hard, trying to regain her composure. Lily, seeing her friend's turmoil, carefully asked, "When was the last time you and James... you know, without any... precautions?"

Autumn's cheeks burned as she did the mental math, her eyes widening as she calculated back to the nights they'd shared without any protection. She and James always made sure she used contraceptive spells, but the chance of an accident was slim but not entirely impossible.

"About a few months ago," she finally whispered, the reality of the situation sinking in. "But... but we were careful..."

Lily nodded, a reassuring smile on her face. "Accidents can always happen, even when you're careful," she said delicately. "The fact that you're experiencing these symptoms is quite telling. Have you considered taking a pregnancy test?"

Autumn was still grappling with the idea, her eyes now fixated on her stomach. A million thoughts were rushing through her mind. "I... I haven't," she admitted, her voice still wavering. "But... but maybe... maybe I should?"

"I think it's a good idea," Lily encouraged. "It will give you peace of mind, one way or another."

Autumn swallowed another surge of anxiety. "But... but what if... what if I really am—" She couldn't bring herself to say the word aloud.

Lily placed her hands on Autumn's shoulders, gently rubbing them to soothe her. "Autumn, listen to me," she said, her voice firm yet gentle. "You need to calm down first before we can figure out the next step. No room for ifs, ands, or buts. We need you focussed and in control."

Autumn bit her lips, her emotions still swirling inside of her.

Lily sighed, "No time to panic just yet. We have to handle this carefully. We'll know for sure soon enough."

Autumn nodded, taking a few deep breaths in an attempt to steady herself. "You're right," she agreed, the initial shock slowly receding. "Freaking out won't solve anything."

She drew in another shaky breath, her hand still hovering over her stomach. "Okay, then... where do we start?"

Lily placed a hand on her hip, her expression firm yet caring. "Autumn," she began, "You do realize I'm a training mediwitch, right? I've done these tests before during my apprenticeship. It's a quick and straightforward process."

Autumn looked at her, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "You can do that?" she asked, her voice a mix of relief and vulnerability.

The thought of having Lily, someone she trusted implicitly, perform the test was reassuring. It made the entire situation feel less daunting.

Lily nodded firmly. "I absolutely can," she assured Autumn, her voice steady and reassuring. "And I think doing it here, in the comfort and privacy of our own space, is far less nerve-wracking than going to a clinic or a hospital," she reminded her.

Autumn's relief was palpable. The thought of walking into a clinic or hospital and having to reveal her symptoms to strangers was a terrifying prospect. Here, with Lily, it felt safe and discreet. "I'm so glad you're here," she admitted, her voice still shaky. "I wouldn't know what to do if I had to... you know, do this alone."

Lily smiled reassuringly, patting Autumn's shoulder. "You're not alone," she reminded her gently. "I'm here for you, and we'll get through this together, okay?"

Autumn's anxiety eased a bit more at Lily's words. With Lily by her side, she felt a small surge of courage. "Okay," she agreed, her voice much more steady now. "Let's do this."

Lily nodded in agreement and discreetly led Autumn into a bathroom, ensuring their privacy.

Autumn followed Lily into the bathroom, her heart thudding in her chest. The stark lighting and the clinical feel of the room only served to exacerbate her anxiety.

Lily closed the door behind them, casting a gentle Silencing Charm to ensure no one outside could overhear. Then she turned to Autumn. "Now, I want you to relax as much as possible. This process won't take more than a few minutes."

Autumn nodded, trying to force her shoulders to relax. She leaned against the cool of the bathroom countertop, taking slow, deep breaths. "I'm trying," she muttered, her hands gripping onto the edge of the sink tightly. "But I'm... I'm so scared, Lily."

Lily stepped closer, her hand reaching out to pat Autumn's arm comfortingly. "I know, I know," she murmured, her tone empathic. "But I'm right here with you. Every step of the way."

There was a moment of silence as Autumn tried to calm her racing heart. Finally, she exhaled a shuddering breath. "I'm ready."

Lily gave a reassuring smile. "Alright, then. We're going to start by performing a simple diagnostic charm."

With her wand held firmly in her hand, she murmured a series of incantations over Autumn, a soft glow emitting from the tip. The charm would detect any magical changes or unusual conditions that could indicate a pregnancy.

As the charm worked around her, Autumn watched anxiously, her eyes fixed on the tip of Lily's wand. The wait felt like an eternity, even though it was only a few seconds. She prayed silently that the charm would come back negative, even though her instincts were strongly hinting otherwise.

The light from the wand slowly faded, and Lily's expression remained neutral for a moment before a small frown crossed her face. Autumn's heart sank immediately, the realization dawning on her - the charm had likely detected something.

Lily, sensing her friend's distress, quickly assured her. "Just a moment; there's one more thing we need to do to confirm," she said, her voice calm and even.

With another precise flick of her wand, Lily performed the final part of the test, the charm specifically designed to detect the hormones associated with pregnancy. It would serve as a conclusive answer.

Autumn stood there, her hands gripping the countertop fiercely, waiting, her mind a whirlwind of terrified anticipation. The seconds ticked away painfully, the silence feeling like an eternity.

The seconds felt like hours to Autumn, and she held her breath, her knuckles turning white from how hard she was clutching the countertop. Finally, the tip of Lily's wand flickered once more, indicating the conclusion of the charm.

Lily looked up, her expression soft and compassionate. "Autumn," she said gently, "I'm going to ask you a question, and I need you to be completely honest. Can you do that for me?"

Autumn's heart was in her throat as she nodded shakily. "Yes," she croaked, her voice barely above a whisper. "What is it?"

Lily took another step closer, her voice quiet and soothing. "I have to ask this next question because I need to be absolutely sure. There's a difference between feeling tired and feeling exhausted. Have you really felt overwhelmingly fatigued for a while now?"

Autumn swallowed hard, the realization hitting her like a punch. She had been so caught up in her fear and her denial that she hadn't even really thought to distinguish the two.

"Yes," she admitted, her voice even quieter than before. "I've been tired practically all the time, even after sleeping well. It's... it's an exhaustion that doesn't go away no matter how much I rest."

Lily patted her arm gently, her expression understanding. "Okay. And when you go to the bathroom, how often has it been lately?" she asked quietly.

Autumn felt her face heat up with embarrassment, but she reluctantly admitted, "Quite a lot. And not just to... well, the normal reasons. There have been times when I just need to splash cold water on my face because I feel so dizzy all of a sudden."

Lily nodded, her expression growing more concerned. "And what about your mood? Have you felt unusually irritable or moody? Or even slightly weepy?"

The realization was hitting Autumn harder now, every detail falling into place like pieces of a puzzle. "Yes," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've been... I've been snapping at James for absolutely no reason, and I've had these inexplicable crying spells, usually in the evenings. I... I didn't understand why. I thought I was just losing my mind."

Lily's expression was filled with gentle understanding. "All of these are typical symptoms of pregnancy," she informed Autumn softly but straightforwardly. "And... and I don't mean to alarm you but, based on that final charm, I can say with certainty that you're most definitely pregnant."

The words hit Autumn like a ton of bricks. She staggered back, a flood of emotions overwhelming her. Fear, shock, worry, disbelief, but also a small, unexpected flicker of confusion.

"You... you're sure?" she managed to ask, her voice cracking with emotion.

Lily reached out to steady Autumn, her voice both firm and comforting. "I am," she affirmed gently. "The spells are never wrong when it comes to this. But if you'd like, I can try again to be certain."

Autumn's mind was swimming, but she managed a nod. "Please," she whispered, her eyes fixed on Lily. "I... I need to be sure."

...

Dusk had settled, and Autumn was pacing back and forth in James' childhood bedroom. The inability to find a permanent home had prolonged their stay at his family's residence.

James, who had just stepped into the room after a shower, noticed his wife's relentless pacing, his brow furrowing in concern.

James closed the door behind him and watched Autumn for a moment, noting the worried look on her face. He approached her slowly, his voice filled with concern. "What are you doing, love?"

Autumn paused in her pacing to look up at him, her expression a mix of anxiety and despair. "I... I need to talk to you about something," she managed, her voice thick with emotion.

James was immediately concerned. He could tell something was wrong. He led her over to the bed and they both sat down, facing each other. He took her hand in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "What is it, love? You know you can tell me anything."

Autumn glanced down at their entwined fingers, taking a deep breath. She didn't know how to start, how to utter the words that were weighing so heavily on her chest. After a few moments of silence, she looked up at James, her eyes damp.

"James," she started, her voice shaking slightly, "I... I don't know how to say this."

James's grip tightened around her hand, concern etched into his features. "It's okay," he assured her gently. "Just tell me what's on your mind. Whatever it is, we'll work it out together."

Autumn swallowed hard, gathering her courage. "James... I... I am pregnant," she blurted out, the words rushing out of her like a dam breaking.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still. James's eyes widened, the shock evident on his face. He sat, stunned, staring at Autumn for what felt like an eternity. Finally, he found his voice. "You're... you're pregnant?" He repeated, as if trying to believe the words himself.

Autumn nodded, her eyes filling with tears. "I know it's unexpected, I... I never thought this would happen." Despite her attempts to hold it together, a soft sob escaped her lips, a flood of emotions rushing over her.

The sound of her sob shook James out of his stupor. In an instant, he was pulling her into his arms, his embrace firm yet gentle, filled with love and reassurance. "Hey, hey... it's alright," he murmured, pressing a kiss into her hair. "It's okay, love."

Autumn clung to James, burying her face in his shoulder, tears streaming down her face as she let her emotions flow freely. "I'm just so scared, James," she managed to say, her voice quivering with sobs. "This wasn't what we planned. There's a war and..." Her words caught in her throat, her fear and uncertainty seeping through.

James's heart ached with each sob that wracked through Autumn. He held her tightly against him, running a soothing hand over her back. "I know, love," he murmured, his voice both comforted and worried. "I understand. But it's going to be alright. We'll manage. We'll figure it out together."

Autumn pulled back just enough to look up at him, her eyes raw from crying. "But how, James? We don't even have a home of our own and again with this war... How are we supposed to do this?"

James reached up to brush a tear off her cheek with his thumb. "We'll sort it out," he assured her, his voice laced with determination. "One step at a time. We'll deal with the war as it comes. And about the house... well, we'll find somewhere. We always do."

Autumn searched his eyes, searching for any hint of doubt or panic mirrored in them. Instead, she found only reassurance and a steadfast commitment. She took a shuddering breath, steeling herself against her fears. "You make it sound so easy," she mumbled, her voice still thick with emotion.

James chuckled softly, tightening his arms around her. "It won't be easy, love," he acknowledged. "But when has anything ever been easy for us? We've faced worse." He gave her a small, reassuring smile. "We'll handle this. Together."

Autumn found herself smiling through her tears, her heart calmed somewhat by James's unwavering confidence. "Together," she echoed, resting her head against his chest. "I just... I want everything to be okay."

James pressed another kiss into her hair, his hand rubbing her back in soft, soothing circles. "We'll make sure it is, love," he promised, his voice filled with resolve. "And no matter what comes our way, we'll face it together. That's what we do."

Autumn snuggled closer to him, drawing comfort from his embrace and warmth. She closed her eyes, letting his strong heartbeats and steady breathing soothe her frayed nerves. Despite the myriad of worries and uncertainties, one thing was certain - they would face this together.

They stayed that way for a while, both lost in their thoughts as they held each other. The room was silent, save for their steady breaths. Finally, James broke the silence. "And you know, love," he began, his voice a low murmur. "We might not have expected this, but... I think we'll make damn good parents."

Autumn let out a watery laugh, lifting her head slightly to glance up at him. "You do, do you?" A small smile tugged at her lips, despite everything. "And what makes you so sure of that?"

James flashed a cocky grin, his brown eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, I have excellent father instincts, obviously," he joked, earning a snort from Autumn. "And you, love... you'll be an incredible mum without a doubt. Elvendork will be the best kid in the world, without a doubt."

Autumn laughed, her cheeks streaked with tears, her nose running. "James Fleamont Potter," she said, her voice full of affection and mock sternness, "I love you dearly, but we already discussed this. We are NOT naming our child Elvendork."

James feigned offence, his hand moving to his heart. "But why not?" he protested, his voice filled with exaggerated disappointment. "It's a perfectly good name! Unique, memorable, probably a sure shot at being the only Elvendork in Hogwarts!"

Autumn groaned, rolling her eyes, though the laugh that escaped her lips betrayed her amusement. "That's exactly why we're not doing it," she stated firmly, though the laughter in her voice weakened the authority in her words. "Our child will not be a social pariah in Hogwarts because you want them to have a unique name."

James chuckled, the sound low and warm. "But think love," he argued, his grin widening in mischief, "Imagine how cool they'd be, being the kid with the most unique name at Hogwarts! Everyone would know who they are! Talk about leaving a legacy."

Autumn's laughter rang through the room, her initial tears forgotten for now. "James," she said, between giggles, "I love your persistence, really, but you're not naming our child Elvendork. End of discussion."

James let out a dramatic sigh, a mock expression of despair on his face. "You're no fun," he grumbled playfully, "But fine. If you insist on being practical and boring, no Elvendork it is." He flashed a cheeky grin, unable to keep the playfulness out of his voice. "Though I reserve the right to propose it again in the future."

Autumn shook her head, her laughter mingling with affectionate amusement. "You're insufferable, you know that, right?" she teased, poking his chest with her finger. "I swear, if you keep trying to propose that name over and over again, I will hex you into next week."

James chuckled, capturing her hand and trapping it against his chest, his fingers wrapping around hers. "Is that a promise, love?" he asked, winking at her. "Because you know how much I love it when you get all feisty and bossy."

Autumn rolled her eyes, though she couldn't help the small smile that crept onto her face. "You're a lost cause, you are," she muttered, but there was no heat in her voice. "You enjoy it too much when I threaten you. It's unhealthy, really."

James chuckled, pulling her closer so that her head rested on his shoulder once more. "Oh, I don't think it's unhealthy," he argued, a wicked gleam in his eyes. "I think it's perfectly healthy to enjoy my wife's... sternness. Especially when it's directed towards me in a... certain way."

She blushed but didn't protest, burying her face into his shoulder to hide her flushed cheeks. "You are ridiculous," she muttered, though the affection in her voice betrayed her words. "But I do mean it, you know. I will hex you if you don't behave."

He chuckled again, the low thrum in his chest vibrating against her cheek. "Oh, I have no doubt about that, love," he assured her, his tone earnest yet playful. "You're a force to be reckoned with, especially when you're annoyed. But I promise, no more talk of Elvendork. At least, not for now." He paused, a sly smile playing on his lips. "Unless, of course, I really am misbehaving and want to be hexed..."

James hummed and pulled back, placing his hand on her stomach. "Well, our child, regardless of their name, will be amazing, obviously," he said, winking. "I mean, they have us as parents."

Autumn moved her hand over his, her expression soft and loving. Her smile mirrors his in warmth and tenderness. Her hand rests over his, feeling the slight bump of their child. "Of course, they will be amazing," she agreed, her voice filled with conviction. "They're going to inherit the best things from us - your sense of adventure, your determination, your... er, your ability to drive me insane."

He chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement at her comment. "Hey, my ability to drive you insane is both a curse and a blessing, and you know it," he retorted, "And I'm sure our child will also inherit your stubbornness, your intelligence, and your... tendency to nag me."

She swatted his chest lightly, but her eyes shone with affection. "I do not nag, I merely suggest," she corrected him, a smile playing on her lips. "But yes, our child will get my good traits, like my patience for dealing with you."

James feigned offence, clutching his chest dramatically as if wounded. "Your patience for dealing with me?" he repeated, his voice laced with mock hurt. "I'll have you know, love, that I am the epitome of an easy-going, low-maintenance partner."

Autumn couldn't help but laugh at his antics, the sound warm and light. "Oh, really?" she asked, her eyebrows arched in scepticism. "You, easy-going and low-maintenance? Do I need to remind you of how often you leave your socks all over the place?"

James let out a mock gasp of outrage. "Hey, I take offense to that! Those socks are there purely for your... aesthetic enjoyment. I'm a walking art installation, love," he quipped, grinning.

Autumn rolled her eyes, shaking her head in amused disbelief. "Yes, because every room needs a touch of 'artistic strewn socks,'" she replied sarcastically. "It's like living with a tornado of fashion faux pas."

He chuckled, enjoying their banter. "Ah, yes, I can see our home now," he said, gesturing around them, "Featured in every interior design magazine – 'Potter House: The Epitome of Comfortingly Chaotic'."

Autumn couldn't help but laugh. "And right next to that feature, a full-page spread on 'How to Manage a Chaotic Partner: A Guide to Ignoring Piles of Socks,'" she added, her tone playful.

James chuckled, pulling her closer again. "See, love? We complement each other perfectly," he said, his voice soft and warm. "You, the epitome of order and cleanliness, and me, the chaotic source of artistic mayhem."

She snorted, but nestled against him willingly, her hand still resting on her stomach. "Us, the perfect mismatched pair, ready to raise a little bundle of chaos," she mused, her voice filled with both humour and affection.

James leaned down and pressed a kiss against her hair. "Exactly," he whispered, his hand rubbing gentle circles on her back. "Order and chaos, logic and chaos, love and... well, more chaos. But it works, doesn't it? And it's going to work even better with a kid in the mix."

Autumn nodded, a feeling of contentment settling over her. "As long as you promise not to start a 'sock-throwing war' with our child," she said, her tone still light yet firm. "They're impressionable, and I refuse to have a house covered in flying socks."

James chuckled, raising an imaginary Scout's honour sign. "Cross my heart, love," he replied, his expression the picture of mock solemnity. "No 'sock-throwing wars' with the kiddo. Although... I might start a 'pillow fight' war. That should be allowed, right?"

She mock-gasped, her hand flying to her chest. "A pillow war? Oh, the horrors," she exclaimed, a smile tugging at her lips. "Our house shall be covered in feathers and stuffing. The very picture of domestic tranquillity - a pillow fight war zone."

James' eyes glittered with mischief. "A feathery battlefield for sure," he laughed, "But come on love, you have to admit it. Our child needs to be taught the art of pillow combat. It's a crucial life skill, you know."

Autumn couldn't help but relent, the corners of her mouth twitching. "Oh, of course, how could I forget? Pillow combat is vital for life. I imagine it will come in very useful in their future workplace, or perhaps at family gatherings," she replied, sarcasm and affection mixing in her tone.

He nodded, a serious look on his face. "Exactly. And think of all the pillow-fight-related career paths we can open up. Pillow fight instructor. Pillow fight referee. International pillow fight league captain. The options are endless, love."

She playfully rolled her eyes before grabbing a pillow and whacking James with it, causing him to dramatically fall back onto the bed, pulling her down with him.

He feigned injury, clutching his chest in mock shock. "Oh no, I have been slain by the mighty pillow of domesticity," he groaned, his voice filled with exaggerated anguish. He looked up at Autumn, who was lying on top of him, the pillow in her hand, and flashed a cheeky grin. "And what a way to go, crushed beneath the pillow of a beautiful woman. I have no regrets."

Autumn laughed, a mixture of amusement and mock scolding in her voice. "You, my dear husband," she chided, placing the pillow aside, "Are utterly ridiculous. And you're a terrible actor. I barely touched you, and you're acting like I hit you with a Bludger."

James grinned, unabashed, his hands moving to rest on her hips. "Oh, love, I was simply playing the part of the dramatic, pillow-injured husband," he retorted, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "And I'll have you know, I would never exaggerate the pain and indignity of being struck by a pillow. A Bludger, on the other hand..."

She rolled her eyes again but smiled warmly, enjoying their banter. "Of course, because nothing says bravery like being 'gravely wounded' by a pillow fight." She shifted her weight, straddling him, her body warm and close. "You're lucky you're so charming, you know."

James leaned up slightly, his hands sliding under her shirt, resting on the soft skin of her back. "Oh, I know I'm charming," he murmured, his voice lowering, "But I'm even luckier to have you love." His hands moved lower, his fingertips tracing small, soothing circles just above the waistline of her pants.

Autumn's breath hitched at the touch, her body responding to his touch despite their light banter. "You're impossible, you know that?" she murmured, her voice softer, her eyes darkening. Despite her words, she leaned into his touch, the playful mood replaced with a more intimate one.