A/N An idea I had based on a scene from Deathly Hallows-belonging to JKRowling…along with the characters…..I know, its not very original...

Despite the Circumstances

Harry reached out and tried to grab the green puff of smoke. James laughed as disappointment filled his son's face and he caused another puff of smoke (this time a shade of red that perfectly matched Lily's hair) to erupt out of his wand.

Harry laughed, and tried to catch this one as well. He wrapped his fingers around it-but when he tightened his grip the smoke slipped through his fingers. Harry looked in amazement (though James thought that he looked a little disappointed that he hadn't been able to catch it).

James caused a purple (that reminded him of something Sirius had worn on a dare once) smoke puff to float upwards next. Harry let out a laugh. James caused several more puffs of smoke-all different colors-to float out of the tip of his wand. He watched his son, laughing alongside him, as Harry tried to grab the smoke.

James was just causing a puff of smoke that was the exact shade of blue as Harry's pajamas when Lily walked into the room from the kitchen. From the clanking he had heard earlier he realized that she must have been doing the dishes from dinner-although he would never admit it, he felt a small pang of disappointment that he hadn't done them with her. He was bored enough that chores had become interesting to him. Plus, he loved the interaction with Lily. It was as if nothing were wrong-as if they were a normal family not trapped in their own home.

"Now that you've wound him up…" Lily said, trailing off as she interrupted his thoughts, knowing he would understand that she was teasing. Her green eyes were twinkling with mischief-green eyes that Harry had inherited. Something James was prouder of than he should have been. "He was supposed to be in bed an hour ago."

James knew it would be useless to argue with her, he had tried to win that argument too many times. Besides, even though he loved spending time with his son (and would have loved to stay up the whole night with him and Lily), he was tired and ready for this day to end.

James scooped Harry up-who squealed with delight at the sudden motion-and smiled at his son's reaction. He handed him to Lily, who gently kissed Harry's forehead as she took him into her arms.

James smiled at his family, throwing down his wand so he could stretch properly. He yawned hugely as he did so, only just realizing how late it really was and how long he had been up-and how mentally tired he was as well. Tired of the secrecy, tired of living in hiding, tired of wondering day after day if it would end-if that day would be the day they could go see Sirius or Remus at their own houses-or even just go for a casual trip to Diagon Alley.

James smiled through his yawn as he watched Lily carry Harry out of the room to put him to bed. Even though there was a full scale war, even though he was constantly worried about his friends, despite the fact that Voldemort was gaining more power, more followers…killing more people while James and his family hid….despite all that….

Despite the circumstances, James Potter had never been happier in his life.

END