February

James hurried down the corridor at the Ministry of Magic. A familiar, rolling laugh echoed from the room ahead of him. He stopped, his heart skipping a beat and a smile crossing his features. It can't be! He bolted for the office, staring in at Remus Lupin! It is! "Moony!" he shouted. The sandy-haired man in front of the desk stopped mid-word and spun around in his chair. A surprised smile crossed his face, brightening the room.

"Alright, James?" the man behind the desk greeted.

"Wormtail," James returned, not taking his eyes from Remus. He slid into the room and closed the door. Remus stood and crossed to him. They pulled each other into a hug. How long has it been? Remus held him close, as if trying to meld their bodies together.

"It's been so long, old friend," he said, his deep voice vibrating around them.

James pulled away. "Since last July," he whispered, taking in the worn, blue eyes, the ill-mended robes, and the peaceful smile. He smiled back, "I've missed you. Where've you been?"

"Working abroad, mostly. And you?" a thread of worry traced his features.

"He's a trouble-maker as usual," Peter supplied from where he sat behind the desk. James chuckled and shrugged. Remus laughed; the worry draining from his features and the light returning. "This is great," Peter continued. "James and I see each other about once a week; Remus and I see each other about once a month and now, suddenly, all three of us are in the same room!"

James nodded. I wonder. Remus nodded with him, "I see Sirius from time to time too. I have to think that you," he looked pointedly at James, "see him more often." James sighed.

"I'm not supposed to. He's back in hiding. I still manage to see him from time to time."

"I'd almost forgotten what you looked like, James," he whispered.

"Same here, old friend." Same here.

"We were about to go to lunch, James." Peter started.

"Do you want to come with us?" Remus finished, an excited light in his bright blue eyes. Oh too perfect!

"I'd love to. But I was already going to meet someone for lunch," he said, thinking hard, pouting slightly.

Peter's face fell. James smiled and shook his head, "Well, I'm sure we can all have lunch together. Sirius won't mind." Peter gaped at him.

Remus chuckled and smiled. "What are we standing around here for then?" he asked, grabbing his cloak from the back of the chair.

"All four of us? Peter squeaked. "But Dumbledore--" James gave him a withering glare and he subsided. He rose, "Okay, okay. We can all have lunch."

-----

The three of them took a back table at the café. One that afforded them a view of the street beyond the window. The café bustled with patrons. The din flowing around them, weaving laughter and words together. As they sat down, James spotted Sirius parting the crowd outside the restaurant. How? "I don't believe it!" he breathed. How did he get Harry? Remus turned to see what James was talking about. Sirius entered and made his way to them.

"Well! Look what we have here!" he chortled as Remus and Peter stood to greet him.

"And you've brought Harry!" Peter squealed. Sirius handed the baby over to Peter.

"Why do you have Harry?" James asked as Sirius patted Remus on the back and mussed Peter's hair. He took the chair facing out into the room, protecting his back.

"I ran into Lily and, well, she knew we were meeting for lunch, so I took him with me. That way, she could have a break. And besides, I haven't seen Harry in ages!"

James chuckled, "Try four weeks!" Sirius smiled and leaned back in his chair, lacing his fingers behind his head.

"Moony, I haven't seen you for a while," he said.

Remus nodded. "I've been to France, on business."

"You have a job?" Peter piped up, looking away from Harry. James and Sirius glared at him. Remus raised his eyebrows pointedly at him.

"You, git," Sirius chided him, "Of course he has a job, he works for the same man we all do."

Peter startled at this. "Oh yeah. Sorry, I thought you meant a different job. Natural mistake; you don't have to get all uppity," he said to Sirius. They sat in silence for a moment, watching Harry play with the button's on Peter's robe.

"So where'd you take Harry?" James asked, changing the subject before Sirius could decide if he was angered by Peter's remark.

"No where," he answered too quickly. James studied him. Yeah, right. I bet you took him flying on that bike of yours. He forced a smile onto his face and laughed. "Well, my outing will be better," he taunted.

"Oh? And where are you taking him?" Sirius asked, dropping his chair to the floor and leaning forward.

"We're going flying!" James announced.

"That will be fun," Remus observed. Harry ogled him, surprised by the unfamiliar voice. James and Sirius chuckled. Remus smiled down at Harry, sitting next to him in Peter's lap. Harry smiled back and reached up for him. "You want to come see me?" a delighted surprise filled his face, "Well come on then," he took Harry from Peter. "Come see your old Uncle Remmie," He cooed. "I knew it," he said, staring into Harry's bright green eyes. "You do have Lily's eyes."

James smiled. This is how it should be. His smile died. No. I can't think like that. Not anymore. Not now. They ordered and were soon eating, taking turns with Harry and feeding him from their own plates. The waitress had offered them a high-chair for the baby which Remus had pointedly refused.

"What I want to know," Peter said, between bites, "Is why you're even here, Sirius. James said you were back in hiding."

Sirius chewed and nodded thoughtfully. "I am in hiding," he said, swallowing, "just not right now." James chuckled.

"Living dangerously again?" Remus asked.

"The only way to live!" he and James chorus. The four laughed loudly; their mirth lost in the sea of sound around them.

When the food was gone and the bill paid, they sauntered out into the February sunlight. James led the way. Peter behind him. Sirius, an arm over Remus' shoulders brought up the rear with Harry laughing from his perch in Remus' arms.

James stopped when they reached the tree-lined lane. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, feeling his friends around him. Please don't let this afternoon end. "Well, James," Peter said beside him, "I have to get back to the office. He tickled Harry's chin, "Bye Harry," he said.

"See ya' , Peter," Sirius said with a casual wave.

"Bye Peter," Remus and James said. When he had disappeared down the lane, Remus and Sirius spun to face James. Sadness lined Remus' face.

"Well. See you, Harry," he said, kissing Harry on the forehead before passing the baby to his father and smiling brightly. A forced smile. "Don't be such a stranger, James," he said, distancing himself from them.

"I won't be," James said, forcing his own smile. Remus turned and walked a few paces away from them. He pulled out his wand and disapparated. James and Sirius stared at the spot where he had been. "He said you two see each other from time to time," James said at last, turning towards the center of town.

"Yeah. Well, I'm pretty good with werewolves." James nodded. He studied Sirius out of the corner of his eye. He seems jumpy. Well, that's understandable.

"How are you holding up?" he asked. Sirius smiled jovially. There are a lot of forced smiles today.

"I'm doing good," he answered, the smile reaching all the way to his stormy eyes. Is that the truth? James studied him hard. "I'm fine, James, really." Sirius whispered. He leaned over and kissed Harry's head. "I have to go. I really am fine, James," he repeated. Who are you trying to convince? Me or yourself. James nodded and smiled softly. If you want me to believe it, I will.

With a smile, Sirius pulled out his wand and disapparated. James sighed and smiled down at his son.

"Let's go home, little man," he said.