James paced outside the ward. Sirius was grinning widely and nodding his head with amusement. He wondered how his carefree arrogant friend had grown into a mature kid. Remus was watching Sirius reproachfully and felt worried about James; he had never seen his friend so worried. James hadn't been this nervous on his wedding day. The trains of thoughts of the friends were interrupted by a baby's cry. James rushed inside the ward almost breaking the door open.

He went inside and hugged his wife. He didn't take a look at his son. He just wanted to rid his wife of the pain. He held himself responsible for her suffering and he felt guilty about it. He had heard her cries and she was still shaking. He didn't want to break the embrace. "James…" Lily whispered. He didn't move. "James, look at our son...!" Lily said this time with more firmness. She finally pushed him away. James moved away.

He was back to being himself again. He was wearing his trademark grin, his glasses a bit lopsided as usual. He peeped a look into the cot besides Lily's bed. Their son was like little James. He had the same unruly black mass of hair. He was amazingly handsome. And then their son opened his eyes and James couldn't have been happier. He had the same green eyes as Lily. James looked into the almond shaped green eyes of his wife. They were glistening with tears of happiness and James hugged Lily again saying, "Mrs. James Potter. Thank you. Thank you for giving me a bundle of joy. Thank you." Lily replied, "He is not only yours. He ours. Our little Harry, Harry James Potter"

At the same moment Sirius and Remus entered the ward. Remus immediately went forward and gave Lily and James a congratulatory hug. "So you are planning to name him Hairy just because he has the hair of his father?"

"Oi! Shut up Moony! No word about my little HARRY!" James said seeing that Remus could hardly suppress his laughter. And Lily chided "Not my. Our" "Yeah sorry." And James gave his heartwarming smile. Remus took Harry in his arms and beamed at him. He looked much younger when he was happy and this was one such rare occasion. All the lines on his face disappeared and the few grey hair that had started appearing seemed invisible. He seemed for once the same as his age. He cooed at Harry and made faces. Remus was not of the cuddly type but this was one such occasion that brought out the mischievous little boy in him – the boy that had been forced to mature.

In all this commotion, Sirius was left out. He was still standing at the doorway not chortling anymore. He was serious. Maybe this day, the 31st of July 1980, was designed to make all of them act opposite to their nature. "What's up Padfoot?" asked James.

"What did you say his name was Lily?"

"Um.. Harry" She said hesitantly not wanting to make any mistake.

"Full name?"

"Well of course Harry James Potter. Why do you ask that?"

"I thought he was going to be named Harry Sirius Potter! How could you give him a middle name after James?!" Sirius was genuinely hurt.

Lily, James and Remus all burst out laughing. This outburst was completely sincere on Sirius' part. This was however not unexpected.

It was a hot day. It hadn't rained for days. Sirius was going to join the Potters for dinner. Sirius had been on a particularly dangerous mission and had come back unscathed. Thought they never admitted it, Lily and Sirius were best friends. Maybe since the day he played a part in getting James and Lily together. And so to celebrate Lily had invited him over dinner. It was 7 in the evening and their front door was knocked. It was Sirius. He went inside and put a hand on Lily's bulging belly. "Put on a lot of weight, have we?" he smirked. He just loved the scowl on Lily's face whenever he mentioned that she was fat. "I am eight months pregnant Sirius but definitely not fat! Am I sweetheart?" she gave James the puppy eye look. "No dear definitely no." He pecked her gently and she beamed. Sirius ignored them and then said to the boy inside Lily's womb "How are you doing little Sirius? Huh? Oh! I see your mother hasn't been eating regularly. Don't worry champ, since the day you come out uncle Sirius will always be there for you. No one, not even ol' Voldy can touch you." The expression of Sirius' face was honest. Lily and James were touched but could hardly suppress their giggles.

Sirius was hurt. He had loved Harry ever since he found out Lily was pregnant. But the child was not named after him! It was horrendous on their part!

"See Harry, uncle Sirius is already quarrelling with me for you. I wonder if he will even allow me to take you home with me. Oh there will be a lot of melodrama baby!"