James and Sirius had just recounted to Dumbledore about how they became illegal animagi to keep Remus Lupin company during the full moon. The Hogwarts headmaster was stunned and baby Harry was asleep in his father's arms.
"Well ... While I admire your friendship and intention to keep Remus company during his transformation, it was still very reckless indeed. You boys put yourselves and others in danger while you roamed Hogsmeade. Not to mention, being an unregistered animagus is illegal," rebuked Dumbledore with a calm tone.
"We're sorry, professor," said James and Sirius, bowing their heads and unwilling to look Dumbledore in the eyes.
"I understand. You boys were still at the age where recklessness and fun were more intriguing than responsibility and consequences," said Dumbledore understandably. "I will send out an alert to the ministry and inform them about Peter being an animagus. Aurors will do their best to track him down," he added.
Two week later, Peter had already been caught. He tried hiding as a rat with the Weasleys, but after seeing the notice on the Daily Prophet about Peter's animagus form and his markings, Molly Weasley tactfully trapped him and turned him in. Peter was sentenced to a trial and was thrown into prison, not just for betraying the Potters, but for several terrible deeds that he done as a Death Eater. James, Sirius and Remus chose to avoid the trial as they did not trust themselves to face Peter out of fear of letting their anger get the better of themselves. Luckily for Prongs and Padfoot, the only charge they were faced with for being illegal animagi was to pay a heavy fine and register their animagi. This was mostly due to them being tried as juveniles as they were only fifteen at the time they became illegal animagi. The fact that James' son had just vanquished the Dark Lord also helped bring more leniency on their sentence.
James, Sirius and Remus were in the Potter Manor's living room discussing Harry.
"I don't know how I'm going to do it without her," said James dejectedly.
"You're a great father, James. You'll do just fine," said Sirius encouragingly.
"What if I screw up and Harry ends up thinking I'm a completely useless father," James's hazel eyes shone with apprehension.
"You won't screw up. You've always put Harry first and that's a sign of being a good father," said Remus reasonably.
"And I'll be there for you whenever you need help with Harry, James. I am his godfather," said Sirius.
"You can always count on me for help too, James," said Remus courteously.
"Will you both please move in? I would really appreciate it," James pleaded.
Sirius and Remus looked each other before turning back to James.
"Of course, mate," said Sirius, putting a supportive arm on James.
"Count me in too, mate," said Remus who also put a supportive arm on James.
"Thank you," said James gratefully.
"We'll be 3 men and baby. Although, we're probably the most clueless people raising a baby," said Sirius sniggering.
"We'll get the hang of it," said Remus.
I apologize that this is just a short chapter. I promise the next chapter would be a full length one. There will be flashbacks in future chapters for unanswered questions.