Not Much Time -- November 1979

I nodded and wrapped my arms around myself, tears blurring my vision.  this was not good for me or for the baby.  I found a chair and sat down in it.  Remus came up next to me and put an arm around my shoulder as tears escaped my eyes.

Since Mrs. P went to talk to James and so did Sirius, I went to Ember.  I put my arm around her and let her cry into my shoulder.  I looked at Lily, my eyes hopefully portraying how worried I was about James' reaction.

I smiled as I made eye contact with Mrs. P. Not entirely sure on how to ask him about him snapping at his sister. I know him and he would apologize. He was hurting and he should be. I walked over " Hey... " I said quietly.

I just leaned against my mum and cried when she spoke.  I felt miserable.  Mum was right, fo course.  Dad was sick. He was bound to get worse and pass away.  It was not Ember's fault.  No one could control cancer.  I heard Sirius's voice and I stood up, helping Mum stand up, too.  I wiped my tears away, though I knew that they would end up falling again.  My dad just died... it was amazing that they stopped slightly.

"Look, mate, I'll talk to her," I said, not wanting to get into another fight.  I knew that Ember was hurting, too.  I took my pain out on her... it was not right, but it felt kind of good at the same time.  And that was definitely very wrong.  And I knew that.

Remus Lupin wrote:Since Mrs. P went to talk to James and so did Sirius, I went to Ember.  I put my arm around her and let her cry into my shoulder.  I looked at Lily, my eyes hopefully portraying how worried I was about James' reaction.

I regained control over myself and wiped my eyes.  I looked at Remus. "Thank you," I muttered to him, putting a hand on my pregnant belly.  "I hope Sirius doesn't do anything drastic... I just know I can't talk to my brother right now."  I was nearly positive that James did not mean what he said... but that litlte bit of doubt was screaming in my mind.

"Don't worry bout James and Sirius," I said to her quietly.  "We need to get you home and calmed down.  None of this is good for you right now."  I looked back at Lily to try to ge ther to agree that this was not good for the baby.

I took a deep breath.  I really was not enjoying being pregnant.  I looked at Remus and Lily and nodded.  "Alright," I said to them, agreeing.  "I think you're probably right... I need to get calmed down..."

I helped Ember stand up and was at least grateful that I could help somebody.  "at least you have some sense," I muttered, though it was not out of jest.  Now was not hte time to be doing that.

James Potter wrote:I just leaned against my mum and cried when she spoke.  I felt miserable.  Mum was right, fo course.  Dad was sick. He was bound to get worse and pass away.  It was not Ember's fault.  No one could control cancer.  I heard Sirius's voice and I stood up, helping Mum stand up, too.  I wiped my tears away, though I knew that they would end up falling again.  My dad just died... it was amazing that they stopped slightly.

"Look, mate, I'll talk to her," I said, not wanting to get into another fight.  I knew that Ember was hurting, too.  I took my pain out on her... it was not right, but it felt kind of good at the same time.  And that was definitely very wrong.  And I knew that.

I nodded, " I know mate....and she knows. " I said as I attempted a smile to him. I couldn't believe he was gone. I would hold everything in as much as I could for James and Ember's sakes. " Heat of the moment." I said " Where do we want to go?"

I shook my head.  "I dunno," I said to him quietly.  "I need to check on Mum and get her taken care of."  I had to worry about her before myself.

I shook my head, " We'll get you somewhere first then I will come back for her. We'll get you comfortable. I need to know where all of you are going. I don't think your sister is going to be at our place or your place. So I see her heading to Remus' place. Chloe will be able to keep an eye on her for you. I'd say wait a day talk to her tomorrow and not a day later mate." I said as I was trying to make sure everyone stayed somewhat alright in all of this. " You know he would want you two to have some time to cool off like usual. " I said with a shrug because that is how Mr. P worked. Cool off so things could make sense and you could see where everyone was coming from at that point in time.

Was it Ember's fault that James had not been in the room when he died of course not. She knows or better yet she will know how it feels for him and vice versa. " So, Let's get going. You come to our place and your sister will be at Remus' is my guess like I said."

I really felt numb by this point. I nodded and listened to Sirius. "You ought to be with Ems, mate," I warned him. "You don't need to be caught between the two of us... I'll be alright with Mum... I think someone should stay with her for at least the first night or two."

I shook my head as I heard Remus mutter. " You need to try to stay as calm as possible. We don't need you to force an early labour." I told her. I hadn't really moved since James spoke to his sister. I know he will talk to me when we get home. I know how much he loves or loved his father. He knows how much his sister loves...him too. " We will get everyone home, I will make some care packages as I want everyone eating. " I said as I voiced my checklist. Looking to Remus, " We need to make sure they eat...I don't want any of them sick neither would Ryan." I said finishing attempting to not cry.

I was determined to make everything better and be strong for James and Ember and Tabatha. I will break when I am by myself. I don't need everyone to get more upset because of me. So I rubbed my hands together, " Tabatha can stay with us. Ember will go with you and Chloe?" I asked Remus. " Sirius will probably run back and forth between houses is my guess..." I said as I knew my sister in law wouldn't really be to keen on talking to James so it might be best if she went home with Chloe and Remus. Chloe went to get tea for everyone to try to calm to commotion. I looked to where to bed with my father in law used to be, biting my lip to force myself to not show any emotion. " Right, Let's get this into motion as I saw Chloe coming back. James and Sirius would be informed of the plan, not likely they will argue with me.