August

Dumbledore's Portkey deposited them on the front lawn of a large, newly-built country estate. James took the Portkey with him as he started for the front door.

"Hang on," Sirius called. "This isn't your place, is it?"

"No," James returned. "It's the place Dumbledore arranged for us." He turned back to the party. They had all dressed in their absolute best dress-robes. Sirius had even pulled his hair back into a slick ponytail, held at the nape of his neck with a golden band. Harry wore the white ceremonial robes Sirius had given him. Lily held him close, looking out across the front garden. Remus and Peter flanked her. Sirius had stepped away from the group, following James for a couple steps.

James held up the teapot Portkey and a large silver door key. "He handed me these and said," He mimicked Dumbledore's voice, "'If you are inclined to do any entertaining after Harry's ceremony, please use these'."

Sirius chuckled, "That's a fair Dumbledore."

Reassured, they followed James into the large house. Peter whistled, "Look at this place," he said. He led Lily by her free arm. "I wonder what old Dumbledore stocked it with." He pulled her towards the kitchen. She past Harry off to Remus as she went by. Remus smiled down at Harry who started crying.

"Oh, dear. Did you want your mummy?" he asked, smiling. "Well let's go find her, shall we?" He followed Lily and Peter into the kitchen. Sirius draped an arm across James' shoulders.

"That was a great ceremony," he said. James nodded. It had been lovely. Everything had been perfect. Everyone had been loving and wonderful. Well, there had been a slight snag; Lily's Muggle relatives had not shown. They, too, had a young son Lily had told him when she'd insisted on inviting them. Oh well. It was probably for the better.

"I think Lily had the hardest job; keeping Harry happy while the speeches were said," James said.

"I did offer to hold him." Harry's cries echoed through the house. "See," Sirius said. "He's still unhappy."

"It's probably those dress-robes. It's awfully hot and uncomfortable in mine." James undid his high collar as he spoke.

"I'll stop him, you watch." Sirius strutted into the kitchen, his black robe flowing around him. James followed at a respectful distance. In the kitchen, Remus sat upon a barstool next to a large bar, bouncing a fussy Harry on his knee. He had a look of determined patience on his face. Lily had removed the white dress-robes, leaving Harry in a pale blue one-piece. She folded the robes neatly.

"He's not hungry," she sighed, "And he's dry. Maybe he's just tired."

"Accio, Harry," Sirius called, flicking his wand in Harry's direction. Harry shot from Remus' arms and flew across the room. Sirius caught him easily and pulled him close to his heart.

"Sirius!" Lily shrieked. "Did you just summon my son?!"

A look of mortal fear crossed his face. "No," he squeaked. James and Remus laughed.

"Yes you did! Sirius Black, YOU DO NOT SUMMON BABIES!"

"Cover me," Sirius called and left the room with Harry. Lily glared at James and Remus as they doubled over with laughter. Peter ducked in from the pantry. He smiled at the laughter.

"I missed something, I can tell," he sighed.

"James Potter!" Lily shouted. "Go get my son right now!" She slammed a hand down on the bar.

"I'm going, I'm going," he laughed. As he left, he heard her complain to Peter about the irresponsibility of it all; Remus filling him in on what he'd missed.

Now, if I was absconding with a fussy infant, where would I go? James listened intently. Harry had either stopped crying or, more than likely, they were outside. He headed for the front yard, looking out the door before opening it.

They were in front; camped out under a great oak tree. Sirius had removed his own dress-robes and spread them out as a blanket. Harry lay on top of the black silk. Sirius had on a black shirt and cut-off jeans. He leaned over Harry, burying his face in the baby's belly and pulling away, shaking his head back and forth. He bowed forward, a dog at play.

Smiling, James opened and closed the door loudly, warning Sirius that he wasn't alone anymore. He looked up at the sound, a smile on his face. He had taken out his ponytail and his hair fell around Harry in a dense curtain.

"See? No more crying," he said, sitting up on his heels and indicating Harry with both hands.

James hunkered down beside him. "You've laid your silk dress-robes on the wet, muddy ground," he observed. Sirius shrugged.

"It was worth it, watch." He pulled his wand from the back pocket of his jeans. "Wingardium Leviosa," he breathed. Harry floated a couple inches off the ground.

"Are you insane?!" James lunged forward, plucking Harry from the air.

"He loves it!"

"I don't care! If Lily saw that--" What? What would she do? "She'd pitch a fit!" he finished. Sirius laughed and lay down across the silk. James stood, Harry held against his shoulder. He looked down at Sirius. Sunlight filtered through the oak's leaves, speckling Sirius' smiling face.

"I'll be back," he said. "I have to take Harry back to Lily before she decides to start throwing things."

Inside, he deposited a sleepy Harry into Peter's arms. Remus and Lily were rummaging through the fridge and pantry, pulling a variety of luscious foods together into a bizarre hodge-podge dinner.

James searched the ground floor for the bathroom. When he found it, he conjured an outfit to match Sirius'; an emerald green polo shirt and baggy jeans. Then he changed out of his dress-robes and suit. He smiled at himself in the mirror before leaving. "I'll be out in the front garden!" he called towards the kitchen as he hurried out to Sirius.

Sirius lay on his back, his head on his laced fingers. "Muggle clothes are the best, aren't they?" he asked, surveying James' new attire. He nodded to his right, "Have a seat," he said. James grimaced as he settled onto the silk robes. He laid back, his head beside Sirius'.

They laid together, breathing in the warmth of late summer. "Are you going to ruin a perfectly good day by bringing up business?" Sirius asked.

"Only if you want me to," James smiled. That should be enticing.

Sirius lay silent for nearly two minutes. "Okay, ruin it," he said. James flicked his wand and produced a small scroll. It fell onto Sirius' stomach.

"That scroll holds the names of three Death Eaters and their last known addresses." He waited for Sirius to unseal the parchment and read the names upon it. "Sic 'em, Padfoot," James whispered.

"Are these names from you, or Dumbledore?" Sirius asked, his voice cold.

James hesitated. "They're from me," he said at last.

"So they haven't been confirmed?"

"They're confirmed. I confirmed them myself." Come on, Padfoot! Just take them! Now's not the time for questions.

"And what if we're cutting off one of Dumbledore's spies?"

"No, these three aren't high up. They're just foot soldiers." If I had wanted to, I could have chosen higher-ups. But Dumbledore does have a spy or two somewhere. "I got those names off a confession list and ran them past the spy. He wouldn't okay himself for a hit. They're good to go. They just need you to punch their tickets."

"And if Dumbledore gets mad about your new pro-active stance?"

That's a question I don't have an answer for. All I know is that I'm tired of being on the defensive. Dumbledore keeps calling this a war. Well, battles are started by both sides in a war. "If he comes to you, send him to me," James answered.

"Then consider it done, Prongs." Sirius sighed. James turned to look at him. He watched the joy and light return to his friend's eyes. I'm so glad you're on my side.

"James, Sirius!" Remus called, "Come inside!"

James stood up. He reached down to pull Sirius to his feet. "Are you up for a game of chess after dinner?" he asked.

"Sure." Sirius gathered up the ruined silk robe. He studied it for a moment and then vanished it.

"You know I always win," James said, chuckling.