Remus cradled the sleeping newborn in his arms, stroking the jet-black wisp of hair that already cowlicked at the crown of the baby's head. Remus rocked the child back and forth gently, an paternal instinct telling him to nestle the baby into his stomach.

"Harry James Potter," Remus whispered, his fingers slowly rubbing the soft skin on Harry's arm.

Harry already looked so much like James, from the hair to the face structure. He was quite small, but felt sturdy in Remus's arms. Harry awoke, his tiny face stretching into a yawn. Remus watched as Harry opened his eyes; his eyes were the exact same shade and shape as Lily's.

Remus was still blindsided to the fact that James and Lily had a child. It was unbelievable to know that only three years ago, James had been immature and Lily indifferent to him. It was striking the maturity that had been gained from the situation: in reality, both Lily and James were only twenty years old. It amazed Rmus how earnestly James had given up that part of his life for Harry.

The Marauders and Lily had all returned to the Potter's house after Harry's rushed christening; they had known that it would extremely dangerous to expose Harry during the ceremony, but Lily and James had insisted. Only Sirius had been invited, as he was named godfather, though Remus had thought this was unnecessary. There was no doubt in Remus's mind that if anything were to happen to Lily and James, all three remaining Marauders would care for Harry in an instant. They all adored Harry; it was hard not to, as it seemed that he had defiantly inherited some of James's charm.

"Give him to me. I want some Harry time." Sirius said, coming to stand by Remus so Remus could pass Harry to him. Remus gave up Harry reluctantly, watching as Sirius cradled Harry. Sirius bounced with Harry over to the window, and stood pointing at things out the window and whispering in a baby-voice to Harry. Remus turned away, sitting with Peter in a large armchair across from the Potters.

Lily and James were sitting on their couch, looking exhausted. James's glasses were slipping down his nose, and his hair wa rumpled in many places, different from his I-just-stepped-off-the-Quidditch-field and more like I-haven't-slept-in-four-days. Lily was leaning with her head against James's shoulder, her eyes tired as she watched her son be passed around her sitting room. Her face was a splotchy pink, evidence that she had been crying.

Harry had been born five days before, on July 31. Remus had received word late that evening that Lily had gone into labor, and he had immediately left work and gone home incase more news came. In the final moments before midnight, Remus had sat on his bed, overcome with worry. Lily just needed to hold on for a few more minutes, he thought, and then Trewlany's prophecy couldn't apply to Harry. Just past midnight, James's tawny brown owl had swooped in through Remus's window, a hastily folded note scrunched in its beak. Remus jumped up, dashed to the owl, and tore the note open.

Moony-

Harry's been born. 11:58 p.m. Dumbledore is coming now.

Prongs

Remus's heart dropped into his stomach as he stared at the note, unbelieving as he realized the situation at hand. They had been told yesterday at Alice and Frank's son, Neville, had been born, and Remus had prayed that Neville would be the only boy born that month. Harry had been so close to safety, yet he had unknowingly forced himself into the world two minutes early.

Remus had no idea what to do. He didn't know what this would mean for Neville or Harry. Remus had spent the last few days overcome with a nauseating sense of anxiety, and had been relieved when the christening day arrived. That feeling of worry still haunted Remus, though it seemed unimportant as he sat in the Potter's sitting room, the sunlight warming them.

James stood, fixing his glasses on the way up. He strode over Sirius, reaching for his son. Sirius dutifully handed Harry over, and James snuggled his baby boy into his wrinkled blue t-shirt. Harry squirmed into James as James walked back to the couch, but James seemed unbothered by this, and kissed Harry gently on the head.

Remus watched the little family, a sense of sadness washing over him. This is what he wanted, but could never have, and although he was used to the idea, it still stung. Trying to distract himself from wallowing, Remus knelt in front of Lily, reaching up to hold Harry's tiny hand in his own.

Harry, by some baby instinct, gripped one of Remus's fingers hard, latching onto him. Remus smiled, already so in love with someone he'd only just met.


Remus sat on the carpeted ground, a pyjamaed and wiggling Harry in his lap. James, Harry, and Remus where in the Potter's cottage, the house temptingly warm and sheltered from the December blizzard that roared outside the window. Remus's heart was full of happiness as he held the six-month old in his lap.

Harry, giggling, squirmed out of Remus's loose grip and crawled to sit where Remus had discarded his wand. Harry picked up the wand, and after observing it with much curiosity, tentifully stuck the tip in his mouth.

"Oy, mate, you don't want that. That won't taste good, I guarantee." James said in a playful tone, gently plucking Remus's wand from Harry's fat baby hand.

Harry, looking rather confused as to where his toy had gone, twisted around to face his father. Harry scrunched up his face, looking like he was about to cry. He started making huffy noises, all while looking at James.

"Don't look at me that way...aw, come on Harry, that's not fair...oh, all right," James's will immediately crumbled and he handed the wand back. Almost instantly, Harry stopped crying and began to wave the wand around. James looked at Harry, apparently unable to decide whether Harry's persuasion skills would eventually come back to haunt him. Remus wondered if James realized that his own tactics were used against him.

Remus was leaned back, supported by his hands as he watched with extreme humor at the way James's will had completely cracked under his son's duress. If Remus had thought that James was wrapped around Lily's finger, oh no: it was nothing compared to the way that Harry had James under his babyish control. It was blatantly clear that James would go to the ends of the earth for his son. Remus thought this was hilarious, as James was known for his iron will. It seemed Harry skated through the gates without a backward glance.

Remus, wanting to be closer to Harry, reached out and scooped him up, his arm tucked underneath Harry's chubby bottom. Harry seemed totally undisturbed at the fact that he was now airborne, and had apparently lost interest in Remus's wand, as he had left it behind when Remus picked him up.

Remus held Harry underneath the armpits and lifted him up, pretending to make Harry play Quidditch. This was easy, although Remus was still sitting cross-legged on the floor, because while Harry still had baby fat and a very lovable round face, he was no heavier than 12 pounds. Harry giggled, his full head of jet-black hair lifting slightly in the breeze as he spun. James watched bemusedly from an armchair in front of the fire, his own cheeks as pink as Harry's from the heat.

Lily, hearing both Remus's and Harry's laughter, poked her head in from the doorway. She had left the boys to themselves the minute they had started discussing Quidditch, but had returned to make sure that nothing outrageously stupid had happened. She had been horrified to discover that the previous occasion all the Marauders had all been together, Sirius had transformed into a massive dog and had allowed Harry to pat him on the snout (James had thought that Sirius's unusually sweet disposition as a dog was quite funny, and had suggested that Sirius make the change into a household dog permanently- Sirius had given him a rather scathing look, which wasn't much, considering he had a small child slapping his nose repeatedly.)

"I expect Sirius will be here soon- Wormy can't come- Order business." Lily said with a sigh, bringing her teacup with her as she came to join them on the floor.

Remus had arrived a bit earlier than usual to visit the Potters, earning him extra time with them alone. It was always a relief to come to their house, warm and forever welcoming, and escape the perpetual torture of living with the other werewolves. Remus tried not to think about that when he was here, though, and was always the first to arrive and the last to leave.

There was a sharp rapping on the door ("That'll be Sirius,") and James sprung up to answer it, pulling his wand out of his pocket as he did so. James pointed his wand at the door before asking his question. It was rather stupid, having to question your visitors, but it was necessary in case of imposters.

"What is Sirius Black's nickname?" James said, his voice unwavering as he positioned his wand exactly where the knocker's heart would be.

"Padfoot." The muffled voice said, and James's face broke into a smile as he dropped his wand and reached to open the door. Sirius was there, looking quite disheveled, but he too grinned when he saw his best friend. They hugged, then turned to join Remus and Lily.

"Harry!" Sirius said, his handsome face breaking into a huge smile as he spotted his godson. Harry was nestled in Remus's lap, but looked quite pleased with all the attention. Remus couldn't believe how much of a charmer Harry was, but he guessed he shouldn't be, considering who Harry's father was.

Sirius walked to Remus, reaching for Harry. Sirius scooped Harry up, then rested him on his hip, looking at Harry eye-level.

"Have you grown? Oh no, your catching up to me!" Sirius said with a fake tone of fright, but his eyes shined merrily as he looked at Harry. Sirius shifted so Harry was practically sitting on his arm, then turned his attention to the others.

"Remus," Sirius said rather stiffly, looking down at Remus. Remus couldn't help feeling a little hurt, as he didn't know why Sirius would be upset with him, and it didn't help that Remus was still cross-legged on the floor and Sirius was standing over him. Remus wondered if he had imagined it- probably, because why would Sirius be short with him? He tried to push it out of his mind.

Sirius deposited himself into an armchair by the fire, the snow in his hair melting quickly. Remus got up and joined him so the five of them were all gathered around the fire. Harry lay on Sirius, his tiny body snuggling into Sirius's warm, muscled chest. Harry turned his rosy cheeks into Sirius's burly leather jacket and away from the flames. Sirius absentmindedly stroked Harry's head, and Harry looked as though he was very worn out from all the excitement and would have liked to sleep. He did just that, with his chubby hands latched onto something in one of Sirius's pockets. Sirius buried his face in Harry's hair, moving to rub Harry's back as he slept.

They all felt extremely content, watching the flames dance in the fireplace, sheltered from the raging blizzard outside.


*swoons over Sirius's adorable paternal instincts*

Did you guys like this chapter? I think we all needed something happy to read.

If you did, please leave me a review! They are so inspirational.

Any moments from Remus's life that you want to see? Let me know in a review!

xx

bandeall