Disclaimer: None of the characters actually belong to me, most of them are J.K. Rowling's creation and the rest of them are Aylala's so I can't really take credit for it. I just wanted to expose this story to a larger public than just the French one.

I hope you have a good time reading this! Please review if you have any comments, it's always nice to know people read your work.

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What could have happened

Chapter thirteen: Little Boy

Lily was just finishing putting up the golden star at the top of the Christmas tree when she heard James' key in the lock. She smiled.

- "Thanks a lot" James said.

- "You're welcome, Mister Potter, I'll come and get you at the same time next week. Merry Christmas" the Healer's voice just said.

- "Merry Christmas to you too Mark" James answered, closing the door.

Lily heard the wheels of her husband's chair get into the living room.

- "Whoa" he exclaimed, entering the room.

Lily smiled and got closer to him. She leaned towards him and kissed his forehead.

- "You like it?" she asked.

- "I love it, it's brilliant. Did you do all this on your own?"

- "Yes"

He looked around like a child at the decorations his wife had put up in the room. Then his eyes fell upon the Christmas tree, set in a corner of the room. It was scintillating thanks to the ornaments his wife had put there. James lifted his eyes up to his wife's.

- "Did you get the tree up there?" he asked, sounding falsely severe.

- "No, don't worry. I asked the salesman to deliver it" she answered with a smile.

- "I hope so, it must be weighing a ton" he joked "Anyway, you did a good job"

- "Thank you, and wait, that's not all" she declared, taking the handles on the wheelchair.

She pushed James to the room that had once been his office, then Sirius and Oceane's bedroom. She opened the door and pushed him in, observing his reaction. She didn't have to wait long.

- "It's perfect" he exclaimed, smiling.

He was looking at a child's bedroom, perfectly in order. From the tiny bed to the wardrobe, from the bedside lamp to the toy chest, nothing was missing.

- "That way, Harry's room will be ready for when he gets home" the young woman explained, kneeling to get to his level.

James put his hand on his wife's red hair and smiled. They were hoping that the trial for Harry's custody would go well for them, now that Peter had been condemned. He looked at his son's room once more.

- "You didn't get too tired doing that I hope? You know you have to be careful now" he whispered.

- "Don't worry, I feel just fine. Anyway, I had to do something or I'll end up having a breakdown. I don't like being all alone in here" she answered.

- "I don't like to leave you alone in here either" James replied while she was getting up to take him out of the room.

Like every week, James had gone to spend a night in St Mungo's as a complement to the care he got every day at home. The past weeks, Oceane had been with her, but since she and Sirius had gone back to their apartment, Lily had spent the night in the empty flat.

- "Did you sleep a bit at least?" James worried.

- "I did, don't worry, I'm fine" she answered with a smile.

She let the wheelchair go and settled on the couch. James got up and sat next to her. She snuggled against him, and James kissed her lightly. Lily felt a hand on her stomach starting to rub it. She closed her eyes.

- "I saw Sirius last night. He told me he and Oceane would spend Christmas Eve just the two of them" she whispered.

- "They need to be together. They've rarely been alone since Sirius was released" James answered.

- "That's what I thought, so I told Remus to join us. He was spending Christmas alone"

- "You were right to do so, sweetheart. Proud as he is, he wouldn't have invited himself" the young man whispered, lifting up her chin with his fingers to kiss her tenderly "I'm wondering what I would be without you"

Lily didn't answer, she just put her head comfortably on her husband's neck, smiling.

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Remus checked everything was closed once more. He took the wrapped presents, his coat, and left his studio. He didn't apparate, he had rather walked to his friends' apartment. He was thinking. We wanted to refuse Lily's invitation to be with her and James for Christmas Eve, but she had really insisted and he didn't have the heart to refuse. The young woman had always known what she had to do to get what she wanted. But he regretted it now. They had invited him only because he was alone today. Rather than being burdened with him, they would certainly have liked a moment with just the two of them, especially now the family as growing larger. He started smiling. A new little Potter... He remembered the moment James had told them Lily was pregnant again. Sitting in their living room, Sirius and Oceane were explaining how the opening up of their flat went. Remus was watching James discreetly. He looked excited and sounded very impatient. Lily was gazing at him with a smile. James was so distracted that even Sirius had noticed after a while.

- "Tell me now if you're bored with what I'm saying, James" he'd joked.

- "I'm sorry, but actually" James had started with a smile.

- "Do you have something to tell us?" Remus had asked while he already knew the answer.

- "Well... Lily and I have an announcement to make..." he'd continued, taking his wife's hand in his.

He didn't need to say more, his face was speaking for itself.

- "Again!" Sirius had teased "You won't even let me get even! Oceane and I are barely working on the first one and you're starting the second one!"

Lily had started laughing softly and everyone had congratulated them while James was glowing with pride.

This thought made him very happy. James was a great father. Remus had never doubted it, but seeing him with Harry, he had realized that his friend was born to be the head of a big family. A second child was the best thing that could happen to them right now. It would make them forget the horrible ordeals they had just gone through, and get over the future ordeals, which, Remus thought regrettably, would certainly happen.

His thoughts had led him to the staircase leading up to his friends' flat. He tried to forget about these dark thoughts and climbed up the stairs. Once in front of the door, he cast a cleaning spell at his shoes which were covered in mud and knocked. James opened the door.

- "Evening Remus!" he'd said happily.

- "Good evening" the young man answered, coming in "I think Father Christmas made a mistake and delivered some presents for you at my place"

- "Remus, you shouldn't have" Lily's soft voice said from the living room.

Remus went to see her and kissed her on both cheeks.

- "It's not me, it's Father Christmas. There's one for you, one for James and I have one for Harry"

Ha saw Lily watch him with shining eyes. To spend Christmas without their son had to be very difficult for both of them.

- "Thank you. Can you put it by the tree? He'll get it with the other presents" she whispered.

Remus put his wrapped present on some others that were already under the beautifully decorated tree.

- "Lily put up all the decorations" James smiled.

That's when Remus realized his friend was standing.

- "Shouldn't you be in your wheelchair?" he asked.

- "I can't get him back in there. He's stubborn as a mule" Lily sighed, as she finished setting the table.

- "It's Christmas! Can't I get a break?" he replied with a smile "No, seriously, I feel much better, stronger... I won't get tired" he added more seriously towards his wife, who just shrugged.

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- "Are you sure you don't want to eat anything?" James asked Lily, whose plate was clean, whereas he was on his third helping of turkey and mashed potatoes.

- "Yes. The turkey did sound good earlier, but I think now that I wouldn't keep it down. Just the smell..."

She grimaced.

- "Do you want it off the table?" James offered, always wanting to help.

- "No, I'll be fine. It sucks to be pregnant during the Christmas holidays" the young woman whined.

Remus smiled at her. She had said the exact same thing two years before during her first pregnancy. It seemed so far away.

- "Is there anything you'd like?" he said, a bit worried by the fact that his friend could not eat anything on Christmas Eve.

- "Yes, the chocolate pudding" she confessed with a smile "So I'm waiting for you boys to be done"

Remus and James exchanged an amused glance.

- "We'll hurry up then" James declared, putting a huge chunk of turkey in his mouth.

- "Don't go and make yourself sick" she laughed "I insist on being the only one with nausea"

- "Don't worry honey" poor James managed to say, almost chocking.

Dinner was very nice. Lily ate almost all of the chocolate pudding by herself, the boys not wanting to deprive her of the only thing she actually wanted to eat. They spent the rest of the evening talking and playing cards. At midnight, they exchanged a 'Merry Christmas' but their eyes darkened. All were thinking about Harry who was absent. After a while, Lily felt tired. Remus left, promising to come in the morning. He went back to his flat, the scarf his friends had given him as a Christmas present comfortably wrapped around his neck.

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- "Merry Christmas Lils" Sirius whispered in his friend's ear, hugging her.

He had noticed her eyes were red from crying. James wasn't looking too good either. It was to be expected though, when your child was spending Christmas far from you and you didn't even choose it.

- "Thank you, Sirius, Merry Christmas to you too" the young woman answered in the semblance of a smile.

Then he saw her hug Oceane and they stayed like that for a while.

- "Don't stay outside! We're having hot chocolate with Remus!" James said, inviting them in with a wave.

After the usual greetings, hugs, smiles and presents, they were all around steaming hot cups of hot chocolate.

- "So, you lovebirds! How was Christmas Eve?" Remus asked to Sirius and Oceane.

- "In the ladies room, losing hope of being able to have a proper meal ever again" Oceane answered calmly, pushing away the cup she had barely touched while Sirius stroked her hair, smiling.

- "It should stop soon" Lily reassured her.

- "I hope so, this is getting really tiring"

Both women smiled at each other. The conversation started again when a knock on the door was heard. Everyone stared at each other, wondering who could be missing.

- "It must be Pet..." James started, getting up.

His smile disappeared all of a sudden. No, it wasn't Peter, it would never be Peter again, he had lost that right. Everyone avoided each other's eyes, looking grave and sad. Some reflexes would be hard to lose.

- "I'll go" Oceane declared, getting up with Remus and Sirius, one on each side of James were tapping his shoulder in consolation.

Lily watched her husband with a sad smile. They heard a door opened.

- "Good Morning! Merry Christmas" Oceane exclaimed loudly.

In the living room, everyone started to smile. Oceane's enthusiasm and good mood were very communicative. They didn't hear what the person was asking, but they heard very clearly their friend's answer.

- "Oh no, you're not wrong, it's here. Please, do come in!"

Intrigued, James and Lily exchanged a curious glance, and saw Oceane come back into the living room, followed by a red headed man who looked uncomfortable.

- "Mister Weasley" they exclaimed.

- "Good morning, Merry Christmas!" Arthur answered with a smile "I'm sorry, I didn't know you had guests over"

- "Don't apologize, please, do you want some hot chocolate?" Lily offered, showing him the seat James had just left for him to sit in.

- "No thank you" he politely declined.

- "Let me introduce you to my best friends. Mister Weasley, Remus Lupin and Sirius Black, of whom you have certainly heard of" James started, introducing both men.

Arthur just nodded, smiling at Sirius who just shrugged.

- " And this is Oceane Daquaria" James kept on.

- "My life partner" Sirius completed while Oceane's cheeks became bright red.

- "Everyone" James finished "This is Arthur Weasley. Harry lives with his family for the moment"

Everyone smiled at Arthur who nodded once more.

- "To what do we owe this pleasure?" Lily asked softly.

- "Well... I came to offer you to come and have lunch at the Burrow. Molly and I thought it would be good for Harry to spend Christmas with his parents" Arthur announced.

Sirius saw Lily and James' faces light up all of a sudden, and this was his best Christmas present.

- "Really? But what about Ministry authorizations?" Lily asked timidly, her eyes glowing with joy.

- "Damn the Ministry. I am still allowed to invite whoever I want for lunch at my place I think" Arthur declared laughing.

Lily jumped and hugged him while James just shook his hand.

The three others exchanged happy glances.

- "So!" Sirius declared, getting up "We'll be off then"

Oceane and Remus also got up, still smiling.

- "Well, actually, since you're here... Why not join us?" Arthur offered.

- "But..." Remus started, a bit uncomfortable. He didn't really like to intrude.

- "Oh it would be marvelous. A real Christmas with everyone" Lily added.

Sirius looked at his friend and saw a small smile appear on the werewolf's lips. How could he refuse after what his friend had just said?

- "It's very kind of you sir, thank you" Oceane decided, answering with a smile.

- "Please, call me Arthur" he replied.

That's how Sirius, Oceane and Remus, their arms full of Christmas presents for Harry, apparated away with Lily, James and Arthur to the Burrow.

The Weasley really were charming people. That was the first thing that came to Sirius' mind after that day. Molly had welcomed them all, and had done so much to prepare lunch for all the additional guests. Oceane and Remus had tried to help, but she had kicked them out of her kitchen saying that they had nothing to do in there. They had joined James, Lily and Harry in the living room.

With a huge smile plastered on his face, Oceane's hand still in his, Sirius watched his godson rip the wrapping paper and discover his presents. It was a really funny scene because the young boy was quite determined. Next to him, the six Weasley brothers and Ginny were unwrapping the presents Lily and James had bought for them, as a thank you for the family that was taking such good care of their son.

It's when he saw him among other kids that Sirius realized how much his little shrimp had grown up, and moreover how much he had missed him. Wearing a small green jumper with a white H on it, he ran everywhere in the living room, playing with Ron and the twins under James and Lily's loving gaze. They didn't take their eyes off him.

Sirius had been surprised that Harry had recognized him instantly and had run towards him laughing. He had taken him in his arms and had received the biggest hug from the little boy. He felt proud and happy, he loved this little fellow so much. Then he had handed him to Remus who had given him back to James. Seeing his best friend take care of his son and play with him, Sirius surprised himself by thinking that he couldn't wait to do the same with his own child.

Christmas lunch was delicious and friendly, everyone talked a lot, especially of happy and funny things. Harry was allowed to remain at the table and didn't nap, which didn't please the younger Weasley children, who didn't get this chance and had to get to sleep following their mother's intransigent orders. Harry took advantage of this to play a bit with everyone before falling asleep in his mother's lap while they were having tea around the chimney, while Bill and Charlie were playing chess, close to Percy who was drawing.

Once everyone had rested and digested, they dressed warmly and took a long stroll around the neighborhood. Remus, Sirius and James (who had abandoned his wheelchair a long time ago) on one side, Arthur, Bill and Charlie on the other had a gigantic snowball fight under the amused gaze of the mothers, and envious gaze of the younger children. They didn't get home until nightfall, covered in snow but very happy.

Then it was time to separate. Was it because of the marvelous day spent together, of the magic of Christmas, or of the trial that was coming up soon with the promise of seeing each other then, but this separation was easier that the others. Harry was hugged and kissed by everyone and he watched them leave, sitting in Arthur's arms on the porch. He waved at them all. Even if they all had a heavy heart, they smiled, confident that a better future would come.