A.N. — Much like Ron Weasley, upon multiple re-reads of the books James Potter doesn't look so good. He's a bully who only cleans up his act to have a chance with Lily. But he does do some magnanimous things. So an actual happy birthday to James Potter.
86. James Potter
Seeing Sirius' beaming smile and misty eyes, James rued not getting his best friend out of the hell that was Grimmauld Place earlier.
James took his Potter ancestral home, and its affluent lifestyle, for granted. The Blacks, too, were old money, but gold couldn't buy a feeling of home. James was happy, with doting parents. It was only fair to offer Sirius the same experience.
It was both validating, and shaming, to see Sirius so wrought with emotion. The joking laughter the pair shared in Gryffindor could've been had here, too, so much sooner — if James had just taken action.