Disclaimer: Only the plot is mine. Nothing else. Hope you enjoy the story

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN…?

"Lilly!" James cried. "Come in here soon! I can't find harry"

"What did you just say, James Potter?" a very angry Lilly Potter stormed into their room. "Hahahaha! Just kidding Lills he's right here. Look!"She looked at a drooling and giggling Harry sitting in the crib and waving at his mother. He had just turned 18 months last week and already started calling out to them. His first words were shocking to everyone though…

James remembered that day as clear as crystal. He, Sirius and Remus had just returned home from the ministry after a long day's work. Lily invited the remaining marauders for dinner at their place. Harry had been sitting in the high chair at the table drooling all over his freshly changed dress. All of them were chatting about the day's events when they heard a sudden "Mooey" and a giggle. Sirius' jaws dropped, James was hyperventilating and Remus and Lily just had the most Slytherin smirks on their faces. "No Harry, its Pad-Foot! Say again P-A-D-F-O-O-T" "Mooey!" Harry giggled again. "James, there's something wrong with your kid. He needs to sort out his priorities. I'm supposed to be his GODFATHER and he's supposed to say my name! James I demand and explanation!" "Calm down Padfoot, he'll come around!" said Remus, still smirking with pride. "Caam dow P-A-A-F-U" harry giggled again. "Ah! Ha! At last!" Sirius was happy dancing in the drawing room of the Potter's cottage at Godric's Hollow.

After the fanfare at dinner, the group settled to have a little late evening chat. Sirius was planning to propose Amelia soon and get on with his life; Remus had just been promoted as the Head of the Department of Magical Creatures.

"Mate, lunch is on me tomorrow" said Sirius enthusiastically.

"Alright! I'd like to call it a night and get into bed early. We've a big day tomorrow at the ministry with regard to the case of the Death Eaters." James turned to Lily and said,

"Turns out you were right after all Lills. Snivellus is on our side. He came into my office this morning and gave me a list of a few deaths –eaters who are still out on the run."

"Lilly Smiled at him and said, "Didn't I tell you, he's always had a thing for you James, though he'd never consciously accept it. I had to spike his drink one day to get that information out of him!" and started laughing out loud which made baby harry to stir in his sleep on her lap.

"Off to bed now all of you," Lilly said, and turned around to tuck in Harry into his crib. It was hand-crafted first grade teak wood, which had been in the Potter family since the 1400s.

In the meantime, Harry's whining brought back James to the present. He picked up his little son and tried to soothe him down but nothing worked. He handed over him to Lilly to be tended to. James had been working day and night for the perfect Christmas present for harry. Even though Harry was only two years old and christmas was a long time away, James was stubborn enough to get it anyway. He'd gotten harry his own Quidditch set for which he got an earful from Lilly. Nevertheless, Lilly was impressed that James was making progress with his son. James had been throwing tantrums like the two year old he had because Lilly was dedicating all her time to Harry. It took him a few days to realise that it was his son-born to the love of his life.

After Harry had been put to sleep, Lilly and James had some quite time together at their backyard, enjoying the warm summer afternoon. Lilly leaned into James and kissed his cheeks and smiled at him affectionately. She was reading a muggle novel and James was just contemplating about things at work. They sat there in comfortable silence. Until they heard the bickering of two adults in their hallways. James rushed to silence them to prevent Harry from waking. At just 2 years of age, Harry was a very light sleeper just like his mother. It was Sirius and Amelia at the door shouting on top each other's voice. James wordlessly cast a silencing charm on the couple and looked at them expectantly.

"James, I'm done with this mad woman. Ask her now or I will!" said Sirius rather composed.

"Is that why you showed up with a ring in hand?" she asked, smirking. Before she could attack Sirius,

James intervened and said "Isn't this something you should be discussing within the walls of your bedroom?"

"But then, I wouldn't be able to ask you to be my best man if we were at home, would i!" exclaimed Sirius.

James just gaped at his best friend. Just then, Lilly walked in with a wailing Harry in her arms. "Hey my Matron of Honour" Amelia greeted Lilly. Lilly almost dropped the baby.

"The both of you, broke into our house, woke up my baby and terrorized each other, only to inform us that you're getting married?" Lilly asked with unhidden irritation in her voice.

The newly engaged couple roared with laughter and confirmed that they were indeed getting married and wanted to inform the Potters first. Just then, a very pale looking Remus entered their home.

"Bella proposed" he breathed.

Sirius who was all the while laughing stopped suddenly and stared at his friend.

"Oh! You have company…I guess...I...uh..I'll come by later then" Remus stammered nervously… Sirius just grabbed him by the collar and asked "What did you just say?"

"Nothing important as of now Sirius, I'll see you later. Now, Let. Me. Go" Remus shoved Sirius out of the way and started for the door. Just then he heard James say "I think it's time Mooney. He should know."

"Alright! I'm marrying Bellatrix Black"

"Bella as in my cousin?" Sirius asked with awe. When Remus nodded, Sirius just left without another word or glance...

Please do Read and Review...Im still new at this and all suggestions are welcome. this is just the first chapter. Im working on the next ones and will update soon. Thanks Alot!