In Lily's opinion, James was the best at story telling. He would become the characters, shouting and whispering, wheezing and laughing, all as the story demanded. His movements were always outrageous as well, and on occasion he would be forced to stop because he had hit his elbow and was howling on the floor in mock agony. He would only break character when he caught Lily laughing at him, pausing the story to give her an embarrassed kiss, but when she turned away he was back in full force.

Harry agreed with his mother, James always had him roaring in laughter and he would always beg for just one more over and over and over. James always obliged, and so many hours had passed in this way.

That day was October 31th, Halloween, and to celebrate the occasion, James was telling Harry the story of the Shrieking Shack. Naturally, James knew the truth, he had in fact been an integral part of it, but to his son he related the ghost story that the inhabitants of Hogsmede loved to share. The story that they all thought was true.

"And then," James whispered, building suspense for his child who could only understand one word in five, "the ghosts would get angry, furious even! They would rattle their chains and moan and even howl. But it was the more violent ones that you should truly be scared of. In their rage they would tear apart the house, shattering everything that came into their path-"

"James," Lily interrupted, causing James to glare at her and Harry to sulk. "Don't go giving him nightmares. Besides, we have something special to do."

"Oh?"

"It's Halloween. We can't go trick or treating, or have a bonfire, so I thought we could have our own celebration. Harry will be too tired once it's dark, so maybe if we started now, we'll be bored by teatime?"

James smiled at her lovingly. "That sounds like an amazing idea. How about it Harry?" He gurgled up happily at them, and his parents smiled back. Lily then stood, and with her wand conjured black and silver streamers and draped them artfully around the room. Following her example, James made some candles, then transfigured them to form strange shapes; bats, gargoyles, ghosts and suchlike. Lily glanced at them approvingly.

"You always were the best at transfiguration," she told him proudly as he finished the last one.

"But your charms were unparalleled, my dear."

"Were?" she tilted her head at him quizzically, causing James to let out a low laugh.

"Were, are and always will be." He moved over to her, and kissed her on the forehead. "You managed to charm me alright." Lily stifled a snort and gave him a gentle push.

"Work on your one liners, my love," she laughed, and gave him her own kiss before magicking a white sheet onto him.

"Behold, Harry, the ghost of Godric's Hollow! More terrifying than any you could find in the Shrieking Shack!" James started to howl and groan, and produced coloured lights from the wand hidden beneath the sheet. He then advanced on Lily, who pretended to cower in terror. Harry laughed, clapping his hands. He loved it when his parents acted out stories for him together. As far as he was concerned they were even better than when James did it by himself.

The show over, James and Lily collapsed on the couch exhausted.

"All we need now, to complete our little Halloween party is a boggart," said James, referring to their duel three months past. Lily gave him a piercing look, which caused James to snigger all the harder. Harry then joined in, although he had no idea why his father was laughing. Outnumbered, Lily's good nature forced her to join in with mirth, and soon she was giggling with the rest of her family.

The Potter family then played games together, laughing and joking all the while. Lily's favourite was when she and James had a light competition, where both tried to produce the most spectacular light show for their son with varying spells. Lily, of course, was convinced that she won. James' efforts barely counted as pretty lights, but she knew that if she said so aloud, a mock battle would be unavoidable.

Naturally, James preferred it when he and Lily charmed paper bats to fly, while Harry tried to catch them on his broom.

"We'll make a seeker of him yet!" he said, causing his bats to fly faster and faster, until they began to elude Harry, who was happily snatching at the air with his chubby fists. Lily was watching him carefully, to make sure he didn't fall and she ensured her bats were easily caught. James laughed at her caution, but realised she was right and slowed his own bats down. Nevertheless, in his opinion, it was still the best game.

Unlike his parents, Harry would have been unable to choose. He loved the whole celebration, alternating between smiling and laughing and chatting away in an incomprehensible tongue. He loved his parents and when they were happy, so was he. As far as he was concerned, this was one of the best days ever.

It all changed that night.