Baby Harry sat in his mother's lap, watching his father and godfather chat. As a celebration of Harry's birth, Lily and James had invited all of the Marauders over. Only Sirius could make it. Remus and Peter were both gone, but no one knew why.
James reached for the fire whiskey, but Lily caught his hand.
"Not in front of Harry," She said sternly.
"But he won't even remember!" James protested.
He was effectively silenced by her glare.
Sirius snickered. "Just like the old days, eh? 'Not in front of Prongsy Jr.'" He added, mimicking Lily's voice.
Sirius was similarly withered by Lily's glare. He raised his hands in mock surrender, but kept quiet all the same. James smirked at him, but was sharply kicked under the table by his *cough* darling *cough* wife. His eyes watering in pain, he made his way to the kitchen, muttering about 'mental women'.
James carried the food in, and put the plates on the table. Lily passed a plate to Sirius and took one for herself, while James grabbed one. He also took the smallest plate (with baby food), and set it next to him so that he could feed Harry.
They had a pleasant evening, the four of them. Cheerful conversation was made, and it was easy to forget about the dark war around them. It was even possible to forget the corrupt world that they lived in.
Time flew by, the years melted away, and it was like they were back in school. They were just three friends again, sitting in the Common Room at Hogwarts. Jokes were exchanged, gossip was traded, and the conversation was young again. They were back in their glory days, having the time of their life, just sitting there, talking.
Harry snored softly, though, shattering that illusion. There was a melancholy feel to the air, as if something important had slipped through their fingers, and they hadn't realized it yet.
Lily was the first to move. She stood up, and lifted Harry out of his seat, carrying him upstairs. James and Sirius exchanged sad smiles, knowing that their Hogwarts days were, in fact, over.
Harry's door shut, and they heard the water running for a bath. James and Sirius jumped up at the same time. James grabbed two wine glasses, while Sirius produced some Dark Red wine from the pantry. Sirius poured it into the glasses, and they both raised their cups.
"Cheers!" They said together, and each took a sip.
There was a pleasant silence as they drank, enjoying the good wine. A few short minutes later, they heard Harry's door shut, and they sprang into action once more.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~ A Few Hours Later ~*~*~*~*~*~*
"So, did you and Sirius have a good time?" Lily asked.
"We sure did!" James replied, smiling a little too widely.
"James… what's this?"
In her hands she was holding the wine. That might be difficult to explain…