I'm Getting Older Too

Summary: It's James's birthday, the first following the war. Unlike his wife, it doesn't bother him he'll be forty next year, but will getting older bother him?

James woke up to an empty bed on the morning of his 39th birthday. He laid there for a moment listening for the sounds of footsteps. Since he was little, there were two occasions Harry would come and wake up James. His birthday and Father's Day.

He knew there would come a day Harry didn't do that anymore, but he did Father's Day the previous year. James didn't know if he should expect it or not. Harry was getting older and wouldn't probably continue what he did when he was a child. James would miss the wake-up call, but he knew one day it would be grandchildren who would be waking him on these special days.

The door creaked open making James pretend he was asleep.

Counting to three in his head, he was prepared for the sudden weight of his son to be on top of him.

Of course, he had forgotten one minor detail.

Suddenly, there was a shout of "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" and the weight of two additional people on the bed.

James opened his eyes reaching for his glasses. Not only did he find his son, but he also found his best friend.

"Padfoot, how old are you?" He asked.

"Come on, Prongs! How long has it been since we did this?" Sirius asked.

James sat up, pulling his son to his side. "The last time was…." James trailed off when he realized when they piled up on the bed when it was one of their birthdays.

It was Remus's.

Sirius realized too and moved to sit beside James on the opposite side.

"He would want this to be a happy day," James said, softly.

"He would," Sirius agreed.

"So, do you feel old?" Harry asked.

James ruffled Harry's hair ignoring the protests from his son. "No, I don't feel old….yet."

A knock on the door made them stop. They looked at the door to find Ginny standing there, dressed in a pair of pajama pants and Harry's hoodie she had pulled on over her shirt.

"Breakfast is ready," She said.

James put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "Did she come over last night?"

"She dreamed about the Chamber last night," Harry said.

"I thought those were going away?" Sirius asked.

"I did too, but I think Malfoy's trial made them resurface."

"How often has she dreamed about it?" James inquired.

"This is the second time since the trial. She's been seeing the mind healer again."

They left James and Lily's bedroom, heading downstairs to the kitchen.

"Good morning, happy birthday James," Hestia said, sitting at the table. Her feet were propped up on an ottoman.

"Thank you," James murmured as he approached his wife.

"Happy Birthday, darling," Lily said as she handed James a plate with eggs, sausage, and toast.

"Thank you, babe."

"So, what do you want to do today?" Sirius asked as they sat down for breakfast.

"I would like to spend time with Lily. Maybe we'll go into London for the day?"

Lily smiled. "That would be fine. What would you like to do tonight?"

"I thought we'd have dinner here, the six of us. You're invited too, Ginny," he added.

"If it's not….."

"You're not imposing. One day you'll be family," James said.

Harry nearly choked on his juice. "Are you hinting at something, Dad?"

"No, I'm just saying."

Lily cleared her throat. "Well, that settles that."

"I had spoken with Gwenog last weekend for a catch-up. She is still raving about you," Hestia said to Ginny.

Gwenog Jones, along with a few other captains and scouts from other teams, were in attendance for the Gryffindor/Hufflepuff match two weeks ago. Ginny had made an impression on the other captains, but Gwenog was interested. She had met up with Ginny when she was searching for Harry. The veteran Quidditch player complimented Ginny on a well-played match in which Gryffindor had won 350 to 200.

"She said when I talked to her while I was looking for Harry, I was on the list. I know Chelsea is retiring at the end of this season, so Gwenog would be looking for her replacement."

"I do know Gwenog said she would love to have you."

Ginny opened her mouth to speak, but Harry stopped her.

"I know what you're going to say. Why would she want me when there are chasers already in the league? There not as good as you."

Ginny sighed, her shoulders dropping. She smiled at her boyfriend. "I know."

"But when, because let's face it there's no if, she offers you a position, do you think you'll take it?" James asked.

"I would, it's been a dream of mine since Charlie took me to my first match."

"How old were you?" Lily asked.

"Nine. He had gotten tickets from a friend."

James chuckled. "It's too bad the weather isn't cooperating with us today or there would be a Quidditch match."

"Dad, there's only four of us," Harry said.

"And the weather is awful out there," Hestia added, looking out the window. It was currently raining lightly.

"Alright," James murmured.

"We'll leave when you're ready, James," Lily said, getting up to start cleaning up the kitchen.

"So, what are you going to do?" James asked his son.

"I'm going to go to the shop and pick up the last few things we need for dinner tonight, then I'll start getting things ready when I get back."

Harry had offered to cook again for James's birthday as he had done for Lily's. Like with Lily, he asked James to pick what he would like to have. James opted for steak with roasted potatoes, green beans, and another side of Harry's choice. Lily had offered to make breakfast while Harry took care of dinner that night.

One problem: Harry had never made steaks before.

Sirius and Hestia left after breakfast to go meet a friend of Hestia's who was showing them a house. With twins on the way, they would need more space than the one-bedroom flat they were currently living in.

Ginny returned to the Burrow, telling Harry she would return in an hour to help him prep for tonight.

"Thanks for breakfast Lily," Ginny said as she walked to the sitting room to floo back to the Burrow.

"Anytime Ginny," She called from the sink.

Harry walked with her to the sitting room and once she was gone he returned to the kitchen to help Lily clean up.

James headed upstairs to get ready for the day. As he walked up the stairs, he looked at the pictures on the wall. While most of them were of Harry, there were a lot of them as a family, including Remus and Sirius. But that wasn't what James was paying attention to. It wasn't how time passed, his son grew up or this would be the first of many birthdays without Remus. It was watching himself grow older.

He walked into the bathroom he shared with Lily. He glanced at himself in the mirror, realizing he didn't recognize the man staring back at him.

This man looked older. The war did age him, especially the year he and Lily had spent in hiding while Harry was off hunting Horcruxes.

His hairline was receding. There was more gray in it than there was black.

But it beat the alternative, he could not be here. He could have not watched his son grow up. He could have missed the last seventeen years.

He could have died in the battle.

He was still standing in front of the mirror when Lily came up to get ready for the day. She saw her husband staring in the mirror. She walked over, wrapping her arms around him from behind.

"I love you," She whispered.

It broke James out of the trance. "I love you too."

It was at that moment James realized how lucky he was to be alive.

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

Lily smiled at her husband from across the table. She was happy to see the smile return to his face. She was happy to see him laugh again. It had been so long since she had seen him laugh and smile and it wasn't forced.

She knew he and Sirius still struggled with the loss of Remus. She did too.

She thought of his birthday last year. Like hers, they didn't do anything. It was a somber day like it had been when it was Lily's birthday.

She was thankful to be able to celebrate another birthday with James. He had too many close calls for her liking, especially over the last two years in his career.

She remembered the accident in 1996. James had been hit by the Dolohov curse which is what the Aurors called it as they only knew the color and not the incantation. It had hit James in the shoulder. If it had been a few inches more to the right, it would have hit his heart and he wouldn't be here. When she sat at his bedside, she thought of all of the occasions he would miss if he died.

But those thoughts and concerns went away when James finally woke up.

It had taken a long time before Lily felt like she could breathe easily. And she wasn't the only one.

When James returned to work in January of 1997, Harry would ask 'have you heard from Dad?'

It had lasted almost a month when James sat everyone down, including Remus and Sirius, and said he was fine. He was no longer going on missions. Kingsley had appointed a Co-Deputy Head Auror and he would be the one going to check in on missions.

He knew the accident had scared them all, Harry and Lily especially. If something happened to him, they would be the ones most affected.

"What are you thinking about, Lily Flower?"

Lily shook her head as she came back to the present, sitting at a table in Five Guys Burgers and Fries across from her husband.

"I was thinking about how lucky we are to still be. How lucky Harry and I am to still have you," She replied.

James took Lily's hand lying on the table. "It hasn't escaped my notice today could have been different."

Lily smiled softly. "Do you feel old? This is the last year of our thirties. We'll be forty next year."

"I don't feel old, really. I've felt old after going to the gym and can't walk. I've felt old when I helped with the new recruits. I've even felt old when I realize Harry is no longer in school, but at work with me."

Lily smiled. "You asked me if it was odd to not have Harry with me in Scotland. Does it seem odd to have him not only at work but at home too?"

James nodded. "I've enjoyed having him with me both at work and home. I wouldn't change it. I was glad he decided to push back moving out until this summer. I've missed him and having this time with him while you're in Scotland has been great. We've gotten to spend time with each other. Make up for the lost time."

"Does Ginny come over in the evenings?"

"She comes over when classes are done and if she doesn't have class and Harry is off from work they're together. I've seen what others have said. They are like me and you when we got together."

Lily chuckled. "I've seen it before."

"I think Harry is waiting for her to be done with school and then they'll move in together."

Lily leaned back in her chair. "I've had that same suspicion."

James snorted. "Do you remember when we moved together?"

Lily laughed, remembering. "I do. I remember Dad at first wasn't happy. I know he and Mum would have liked for us to be married. But because it made me happy, Dad didn't say anything. So if that is what Harry and Ginny want to, they have our support."

"They do," James murmured.

They left the restaurant, walking back to the car park to head off to do some shopping in London. When they reached the car, James opened the door for Lily before getting to the driver's side.

"Did you notice this morning Ginny thinks she's not enough and Harry tells her she is?"

James nodded. "I did. I can see where Ginny doesn't think she's good enough. Molly has just come around to her playing Quidditch professionally. I know she thinks there is someone better out there than her, but she's the best I've seen."

"And you were a Chaser," Lily said.

"I remember when Harry was captain and he picked Ginny to be on the team. He even told Minerva he had picked Ginny because she was the best and not because she was his girlfriend. Ron and Katie backed him on it. Madam Hooch had observed practice and she had seen Harry was right."

Lily laughed. "Oh, she made it clear he was to not put her on the team because she was his girlfriend. She came into the hospital wing for something and Harry was there for something. He greets her only to cut off when she pulled him down to her height and told him she was trying out for the team and he was to not put her on the team because she was his girlfriend. I asked when he said Ginny made the team how she reacted. Harry said he immediately told her it was because she was one of the best."

"I remember that too," James said, remembering Harry telling him about it.

"Do you think Harry is doing okay at home?"

"I'm sure he's fine."

Lily nodded as James parked in a car park.

"I know, but he hasn't cooked steaks before and he thinks he can do it, but I just…."

"Lily," James interjected. "He wouldn't have volunteered to cook dinner if he didn't think he could do it. He has fixed steaks before. He did when we went to the coast."

Lily nodded, remembering Harry had made them on the grill. It was a night he said he and Ginny would take care of dinner. They did a great job. Ginny was a great cook. Lily had shown her how to make scones the way she did while they were on the trip.

"So where would you like to go first?"

James looked at the shop directory and picked the shoe store. "I need new boots."

"I know," Lily murmured.

They walked down the street, hand in hand. It was nice to get out and do something just the two of them. James said he would like to have some alone time with Lily. Harry was getting stuff ready for tonight and Sirius was busy with Hestia. Ginny was coming back to help Harry get everything ready for tonight.

"Wonder what Harry's present would be?" James pondered.

"I don't know. He's been quiet about it."

James didn't think Harry would do something big like he did for Father's Day. He had arranged for him, Harry, and Sirius to meet the Appleby Arrows, observe practice, and attend their match with the Tutshill Tornados. It was a great time for the three of them. James and Sirius talked about meeting the team and their experience for weeks.

But that wasn't the only thing.

To make up for missing Christmas, he arranged for Sirius and James to go on a Queen tour. They were both fans of the band, having owned all of the records and tapes. The tour took fans around London to the places where the band had been from where they started, recorded their music, and more. To make up for missing both of their birthdays, Harry upgraded the tapes to CDs or the ones that were available on CD.

Needless to say, Sirius and James loved it.

James and Sirius both had told Harry he didn't need to make up for the lost time. But James realized he was talking to his mini-me. Harry was like James, when they got an idea in their head it was best to let them do it. They were going to anyway.

"So, are you ready to shop?" Lily asked.

James smiled. "Let's go."

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

Ginny walked into the backdoor of the Potter's house, closing it behind her.

"Babe," She called.

"I'm in the kitchen."

Ginny walked in, finding her boyfriend at the stove working away. She walked up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist

"What can I do to help?" She asked.

Harry pointed with a spatula. "Can you cut up the potatoes?"

"Sure." She started to move to the pile on the counter when Harry pulled her back. He kissed her.

"Hi," she breathed when they broke apart.

"Hi. Is Molly wondering why you're spending a lot of time here?"

"No," Ginny replied. "She knows I'm helping you."

"Did she know about…?"

"She was outside when I came home. After I got changed and came back down she was in the kitchen. She asked if I had a nightmare and I told her about what happened. I left a note telling her I was coming here."

"I was afraid she would…."

"Dad told her that he rather I get a good night's sleep and if I get that with you, who is he to say no. Mum's fine with it as long as I leave a note."

Ginny waved her wand to the potatoes, cutting them. She moved them to a sheet pan for Harry to put in the oven.

"The last time we did this was last summer," Ginny murmured.

"We did and I think we fixed the same thing."

Ginny moved on to fixing the salad they would have with it. Harry had bought a premade salad from the shop, adding grape tomatoes and shredded carrots.

"Are your parents back yet?"

Harry shook his head. "Not yet. Mum said they were going to stop and pick up some cake before they come home. Remember the cake we had at that shop when we met Mum and Dad for her birthday?"

"Yes, I had you take me back because that cake was so good. I know Mum is a good baker and so is Lily, but that was sinful."

Harry snorted. "They're picking up a whole one. He asked Mum if she would be upset if they bought the cake. Mum wasn't upset, she was thrilled."

"Isn't the Cruciatus Effects Potion going well?" Ginny asked.

Lily had been working on a potion for years that would help those who had been put under the Cruciatus Curse for a certain amount of time. If given in a certain time frame, it would keep them from going fully insane or it would give them a full recovery. While it wouldn't do anything for Frank and Alice Longbottom, it would help prevent someone from having the same fate.

"It's in the final stages of the final trial." Harry smiled. "Mum patented it and it's going to be produced in May."

Ginny smiled. "I bet she's happy."

"She is. Dad wants to throw a party to celebrate, but we have until May to decide how we will celebrate. Mum has put in a lot of work on this and she's been working on this for years."

"Does Neville know?"

"He knows Mum has been working on a potion, but not for what."

They worked together cooking, making small talk as they worked. It made Ginny think about the future of being married to Harry, doing things together.

"I was fully expecting Sirius to sing this morning," Ginny said.

"Don't worry, he'll get his chance."

Ginny turned to her boyfriend. "How is it that you don't get the serenade?"

"Apparently, I had cried when he did it when I was a year old. He never did again."

Ginny threw her head back and laughed.

"The only reason he does it to Mum and Dad is he knows they hate it."

"Does he serenade Hestia?"

"I don't think so."

Ginny laughed

Harry turned the heat down on the meat, checked the potatoes in the oven, and put on the green beans.

They were about to start on the rolls when the back door opened. Harry was about to call who was it when his parents ran through the kitchen towards the stairs. Their footsteps thundered on the stairs.

"What in the….?"

"Birthday tradition, it used to happen at night," Harry said as he walked around the counter.

"Are you telling me your parents are going upstairs to….?"

"Ginevra," Harry warned. "Don't finish that sentence."

He walked to the bottom of the stairs and called "Oi! Silencing charms! No one wants to hear that!"

They must have heard him as they heard no more.

"Have you ever heard…?"

Harry looked at his girlfriend. "Why do you think I told them to put on the silencing charm?"

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

James came downstairs after showering and changing clothes. He paused before he walked into the kitchen. He closed his eyes.

"Padfoot?" He called.

"Prongs."

James sighed. "Get on with it."

Sirius smiled.

"Happy birthday to you!"

Hestia tried to keep from laughing, but James's face made her lose it.

"Happy birthday to you!"

"You're dragging this out, Pads."

"Happy birthday, dear James! Happy birthday to you!"

"Happy?" James asked, smirking.

"Very."

Sirius pulled James into an embrace. "Happy birthday!"

"Thank you, Padfoot."

Lily walked into the kitchen, greeting Hestia before she walked over to the stove where her son was still working.

"Did you get the cake out of the car?"

"I did, it's in the scullery."

"Are we ready to eat?" Sirius asked as Ginny came into the kitchen from the dining room.

"We're ready."

They moved into the dining room, sitting down around the table. James reached over patting Harry on the back.

"This looks good, Son."

Plates, platters, and serving bowls were passed around as they made conversation. Sirius updated everyone on the progress of the renovation on Grimmauld Place. He had decided to give the house to the Ministry to use as a home for children. Kreacher died last year which is what made the decision easier as Sirius didn't want to deal with the hardheaded elf. The challenge they had was removing his mother's portrait.

"What did you do with….?" Lily trailed off. "The portrait."

"We," Sirius motioned to himself, James, and Harry. "Took it off the wall and since it was not a load-bearing wall we removed the wall. The portrait and the other things on the wall fell off. We took the portrait out back." He pointed towards the back of the Potter's property. "And we burned it."

"I wish you would have waited for me," Lily said. "I would have popped open a bottle of champagne."

Everyone burst out laughing. It was no secret that Lily had words with Mrs. Black which ended with her calling Lily a Mudblood. James silenced the portrait until they left to return home.

"Mum would have liked to have seen it."

"I can show you the memory. We silenced it to keep the neighbors from hearing," James said.

"When do you think it would be open?" Ginny asked.

"We're aiming for summer. We decided to use the house as a place for children or teenagers to come if they found themselves in the same boat I was in. Disowned, kicked out…"

"Only you had a place to go," James interjected. "Dad and Mum told you that the previous summer. That's why Mum and Dad didn't react when you showed up at our door in the middle of the night."

"We had offered the same for Neville," Lily said, softly. "We told him if needed a place to come and stay for a few days he was welcomed here. We told Ron the same thing if he needed."

"I think when we were planning Bill and Fleur's wedding he thought about it. They're talking about a redo this summer."

"Are they?" Hestia asked.

"I know it won't change what happened, but they want to have a redo, at least the reception."

"I don't blame her. I know the memory will always be the Ministry falling and Death Eaters crashed the reception…." Lily trailed off.

"They didn't get to do the cake or the send-off," Ginny said. "They haven't talked to Mum and Dad about it. I had met with Fleur for lunch and she brought it up."

"Is things better between her and Molly?" Hestia asked.

"They are better than they were," Ginny admitted. She turned to Harry. "Do you remember Angelina?"

"Yeah, she and Fred dated didn't they?"

Ginny nodded. "She came by after the funeral. George told me he and Fred talked. He asked George to look after Angelina for him. Well, they told Mum and Dad last night they were official."

"Well, I'm happy for them," Lily said.

"Are they happy?" Hestia asked, smiling softly.

"They are," Ginny confirmed. "George asked if we were free next Saturday. Do we have any plans?"

"No, isn't his birthday the first?"

Ginny nodded. "He wants to treat it like it's a normal day. But on Saturday he wants to go out with us. It will be him and Angelina, Ron and Hermione, Bill and Fleur, and us."

"We'll go," Harry said.

The conversation shifted to talking about the plans for a Memorial Ball. It would be the first of many events to commemorate the Final Battle. There would be a ceremony to unveil the memorial gardens at Hogwarts along with those they lost. The final ceremony would be at the Ministry to honor those who fought in the battle.

Needless to say, Harry wasn't looking forward to any of it.

Hestia sighed as she took a second helping of the steak and potatoes. "Harry, you did a good job."

"Thanks."

Lily turned to her friend. "So, what did you think of the house?"

Hestia turned to her husband. "Should we tell them?"

"Did you put in an offer?" James asked.

"We did," Sirius confirmed.

"When will you know if you got it?" Lily inquired.

"Monday," Hestia replied.

"Where is it?"

"Potter's Bar," Sirius replied.

"Are you serious?!" James exclaimed.

"Of course I'm Sirius."

"Are you really going to move here?" Lily couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"The house we looked at is four bedrooms, three baths, and a large garden in the back. The kitchen is….I have no words."

Lily smiled. "I'm happy for you. I hope you get it."

"How did you find it?" Harry asked.

"I heard about it from a fellow estate agent. She gave me the information and since I do have the Muggle license I can do the paperwork and everything myself."

"That's great," Ginny said.

"With twins on the way, we felt it would be perfect. We can have a nursery, a home office, and a playroom. Down the road, if they choose to separate, they can have their own room."

Sirius and Hestia filled them on the house how it would need some work. They felt like it could be a home they could raise their kids in.

"Well," James began when conversation paused. "Shall we move to the family room for coffee, tea, and cake?"

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

Laughter filled the family room as Sirius recounted the story of what happened on James's seventeenth birthday. He and Remus had managed to pull off seven pranks, one for each year they had been friends.

"We turned his hair green, we transfigured his clothes, we sent custard pies to his face," Sirius paused when he cracked up laughing. "We put something in the Butterbeer so that every other word that came out of his mouth was a frog noise."

"I remember another one you made him sound like his voice was squeaking," Lily added.

"What were the last two?" Hestia asked.

"I was serenaded with My Girl," Lily replied.

"We only did it because James wouldn't have otherwise."

"Don't get any ideas," Harry intoned to Ginny.

"I wasn't going to say anything," Ginny chuckled.

"The grand finale was when he went to bed, we made the legs disappear. It fell to the floor with a loud bang."

"I sometimes wished I hadn't told you the numbnuts the password to the Head dorms."

"Did you do a celebration as Dad did for you?" Harry asked.

"We did, but we included Remus, Sirius, and …" She trailed off. "You know."

Harry nodded.

"We went to Hogsmeade as it was a Saturday too. We spent the day together. I was highly entertained by the pranks."

"I remember you had managed to get dinner delivered to the Head dorms and we ate and talked. It was nice."

"Alright," Lily called. "It is time for us to share our favorite James memory from the last year." She smiled at her husband. "It was when we went to Paris. I felt like we were young again. It was nice to get away with just you and spend time together. We rented a Vespa and explored Paris. It was so much fun."

"We got ice cream and sat at a bench and talked."

"My favorite memory is also a highlight of my life and last year," Sirius began. "It was when we went Appleby and met the Arrows. We watched their match against the Tornados. It was nice to experience that with you and Prongslet."

"It was fun wasn't it?" James asked.

"Mine is when we went on the double with you and Lily to go see Les Misérables. It was so much fun. You made sure we got to the theatre on time and then when went for dinner, you made sure Lily and I were keeping up with you and Sirius."

"It was a fun night wasn't it?"

Harry didn't need to think of his. "Mine is from when we went to the coast. It was the third or fourth day we were there. You asked if I wanted to go to the arcade just me and you. It reminded me of when we did that before just the two of us."

James smiled. "It had been a while."

"Mine is from Christmas," Ginny began. "You flooed over to the Burrow to make sure Harry told me when we were having dinner here. At first, I thought you were talking about the Christmas gathering we have with my family and yours."

James smiled.

"You said the Christmas gathering we have with my family was on Christmas Day and you were telling me what time you guys were having your Christmas on Christmas Eve. You must have seen my confusion because you said, 'Ginny you're now a part of this family, though not officially' but you are. Come over around five'."

Ginny swallowed. "I know you and Lily have always made it a point to make me feel included. But that was the first time I heard you say I was family to you."

James turned his attention to his son.

"Hold your horses, Dad. We haven't talked about that yet."

Everyone chuckled.

"You are a part of this Ginny. Lily and I can never thank you enough for making our son so happy. You've become a daughter to us and we love you as if you were."

Ginny stood up, leaning over to hug James. When she stepped away afterward she walked over to Lily.

"He's right. You are like a daughter to us."

"So, are you ready to open presents?" Sirius asked.

"Of course, who should I start with?"

"Open mine first," Lily said, handing the bag to Harry to hand to James. He took it, opening the bag, pulling out the paper.

"Oh Lily, you didn't," he said.

James pulled out a new leather jacket.

"Your old one is so worn. I thought it was time for a new one. Do you like it?"

James tried it on, modeling it for the group. "I love it. Thank you, my flower."

Sirius handed James a bag. "This is from both Hestia and me."

James took it. He opened the bag to find a new wand holster, a new pair of Chaser gloves as well as dragonhide gloves.

"There's more," Sirius said, handing him an envelope.

James eyed him suspiciously as he opened the envelope. Two tickets to a Def Leppard concert in October.

"We always said we wanted to see them in concert."

James stood up, pulling his best friend into a hug. "Thanks, Padfoot."

Harry handed him a bag. "This is from Gin and me."

"Thanks." James took the bag opening it. He pulled out two new Appleby Arrows shirts, a cap, and a new set of Appleby Arrow Quidditch robes.

"I thought you would like the new design ones. There's one more thing in the bag."

James looked down to find an envelope. He opened it, pulling out two tickets for the next match for the Appleby Arrows which was against their rival the Wimbourne Wasps.

James's jaw dropped.

"How?" He squeaked.

"I got them before Christmas. Take Sirius and have a good time."

James stood up, pulling his son into a hug. "Thank you, son."

He hugged Ginny before he turned to the rest of the family. "Thank you, everyone."

"Just to think, you'll be forty next year."

"Padfoot, you're going to be forty this year. I don't think you have room to talk."

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

James sighed contently as he laid beside his wife later that night. Sirius and Hestia stayed to talk while Ginny helped Harry clean up the kitchen and the dining room. Harry apparated her home when they were done even though she could have gone herself, but Harry took her since it was late. He came back home and helped James take his presents upstairs.

They talked about the plans for tomorrow as they put away the presents, which included going food shopping for the week and running a few other errands. Lily was going to return to Hogwarts later in the evening.

He turned to look at his wife. She was still beautiful after all these years together.

How lucky was he to have as his wife?

He turned on his side but sat up instead. He got up, quietly leaving his and Lily's bedroom. He walked down the hall to Harry's bedroom.

Leaning against the door frame, James watched his son sleep. The mirror was in his hand, meaning he must have been talking with Ginny before he fell asleep. He smiled as he thought of the girl he considered a daughter. He had a suspicion Harry would propose sometime this year. Harry hadn't told him anything that meant he was leaning in that direction, but he did know they might move in with each other this year.

He quietly walked into the room, gently took the mirror out of Harry's hand, and laid it on the nightstand.

He watched Harry sleep for another minute before he returned to his bedroom and laid down next to Lily.

As he went to sleep, he decided to enjoy this year, spend time with his family, and look forward to what the future would bring.