July came and with it, the births of two much-anticipated babies: Neville Longbottom, born on the thirtieth, and Harry James Potter, born on the thirty-first.
"Harry?" Remus said to Sirius in bewilderment. "Rather a grown-up sounding name, isn't it?"
"He's going to be prematurely middle-aged and dull like you, with a name like that," Sirius said solemnly, but his eyes were twinkling in delight. "Harry James Potter, my godchild."
"And the newest Marauder," Remus said with a grin. "I hope he's ready to solemnly swear that he's up to no good."
The Marauders went to visit the Potters on the morning of August 2nd. Dumbledore had warned them to be exceptionally careful,, so Lily and James were already home with the baby. Madam Pomfrey had agreed to pop in on them every few days. Dumbledore had heard little more about Voldemort's plans for the prophecy, but the house in Godric's Hollow was protected by a number of spells and was being guarded by the Order twenty-four hours a day, just in case.
Lily answered the door when they arrived. Her face was lined with exhaustion, but her eyes twinkled with happiness. "I knew we couldn't keep you out of here for long," she said. "James is terribly excited to see you. You'll have to excuse us though; it's a mess in here and we haven't had much sleep."
"Who cares about James?" Sirius said, pushing through the door. "Where's my godson?"
"Hang on." Lily grinned. "I know you're excited, but we've got these bloody security measures now. Moody says we have to ask you questions before we let you in, make sure you're not imposter. I know it's dumb, but—"
"It's okay," Remus said, pulling Sirius back. "Just go ahead and ask."
"All right." Lily paused, furrowing her brow to think of a question.
"We could have Stunned you by now, you know," Sirius said, tapping his foot impatiently. "Moony could have spirited the baby away to his wolf den and—"
"Fine," Lily interrupted, as Remus scowled at Sirius. "Where did I catch you and Remus snogging in our last year at Hogwarts?"
"Broom cupboard on the fourth floor," Sirius said promptly. "Am I supposed to be embarrassed by that? Cause I'm not, I'm rather proud, actually—"
"Oh, go on in then," Lily said, waving her hand dismissively. "Remus, what did I catch you and Sirius doing on the first Hogsmeade trip of the year?"
"Holding hands at the Shrieking Shack, of course," Remus grinned. "It was a good year, wasn't it?"
"The best." She grinned and let them inside. "James is in the nursery with Harry. Peter's here too," she said, watching them take off their shoes. "You're our family now, you know," she said suddenly, looking fondly at the two of them. "We, er, haven't got anyone else."
Remus paused in surprise. "Of course we're your family," he said, giving her shoulders a squeeze. "Whether you like it or not, really."
"We always have been," Sirius said. "You'll be sorry about it once we're here all the time, corrupting your child and eating your food." He lowered his voice and glanced toward the nursery. "Is James…?"
Lily nodded. "He's okay. Happy, even." She suddenly smiled, a real, genuine smile that stretched to her eyes. "You'll see. Harry's an absolutely doll. He's made everything better already."
She showed them into the nursery, where James was seated in a rocking chair with a tiny bundle in his arms, Peter standing next to him. They were whispering in hushed voices, clearly trying not to laugh and wake the baby. They glanced up when Sirius and Remus walked in.
"Please try not to wake him up," Lily pleaded, but James was already standing, striding forward with the little bundle.
"Look at him!" he said happily. "This is Harry! And Harry, these are your uncles. Uncle Padfoot and Uncle Moony." Sirius's eyes widened as James passed Harry to him. "Don't drop him, Padfoot."
"I would never." Sirius gingerly took the bundle of blankets from James, cradling Harry's head carefully in the crook of his arm. His long hair fell down around his face, tickling Harry's cheeks. Remus thought his heart might burst at the sight.
"God, he's so small," Sirius breathed. They all stood staring down at the baby. He had chubby red cheeks and a shocking amount of dark black hair that stood up straight all over his head. Remus almost laughed. There was absolutely no doubting who Harry's father was.
"He looks like James, doesn't he?" Peter said eagerly.
"Spitting image," Remus agreed, glancing at Sirius in time to see a great tear rolled off his nose and splashed onto Harry's cheek. James grinned, and Remus slipped an arm around Sirius's waist.
"Sorry," Sirius sniffed."He's just so damn small and he does look just like you, James." He carefully wiped the tear off the baby's cheek with his thumb, and Harry's eyes blinked open, bright and green and curious.
"Look at his eyes!" Peter exclaimed.
"Lily's eyes," James said proudly.
They heard a clicking sound and turned to see Lily standing with a Muggle camera. "It's just so sweet," she said with a smile. "The five Marauders, all together. God help him—God help me—if he takes after the four of you."
"Oh, he will," Sirius declared, wiping his eyes. "I'll make sure of it. Moony, you want to hold him?"
Remus nodded, smiling as Sirius handed him the little bundle. He could hear Lily snapping away with the camera behind him. The prophecy seemed almost laughable right now. It was absurd to think that You-Know-Who could fear a baby, or that Harry could somehow have power the Dark Lord knows not.
"Hi, Harry," he whispered, holding the baby to his chest. "It's me, your Uncle Moony."
"Jesus, Moony," Sirius said, peering over his shoulder at Harry. "This is so damn adorable I can hardly stand it."
"Language, Padfoot," warned James. "You're a godfather now; start acting like it."
"I am!" Sirius protested. Harry swung a tiny fist up toward him, and they all laughed. Remus looked down at Harry's little face, the prophecy swirling unbidden through his mind.
Born to parents who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies...Either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives...
The prophecy had to be bogus, Remus decided, watching Harry clutch at Sirius's finger.
It just had to be.