Hello hello lovelies!

This was originally meant to be at the end of the previous chapter, but it didn't quite feel right. It's not very long and it's just a small bit of happiness tbh. Also, I should be posting the next chapter sometime in the coming few days!

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Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling, and only the story line and any OC's belong to me.

Monday, March 27th, 1978

James's Potter's 18th Birthday

Easter Monday

Potter Manor

"You came late to the game, Evans. I've been his number one for seven years." Sirius jabbed his finger into the air in front of him with a vengeance, but the teasing smile on his face rendered the threatening gesture harmless.

Lily made a dismissive noise. She adjusted the waistband of her high-waisted pale jeans, and in a haughty manner said, "quality over quantity, Black."

James was playing mediator as he stood between the pair, the pallid morning sunshine glinting off of his glasses. He was at a loss as to what he should do or say as the two fought over him.

"I'm pack!" Sirius bellowed, thrusting his hands out to the sides, as if said proclamation trumped all others.

Lily's brow furrowed, and she toyed with her dangly earrings. "Oh, I've been meaning to ask about that. How did you seal your pack bond? From what I've heard it requires a somewhat…intimate ritual—"

"And that is the end of that conversation," James interrupted the redhead with a grim smile, a shudder echoed through his limbs.

"Ask Hermione," Sirius taunted.

"No. Do not do that." James warned with a cold bite to his tone. "It's my birthday, and I am asking—begging—please don't."

"Okay I won't—"

Sirius coughed into his fist and a garbled, "I'm his Padfoot," came out.

"And I'm his girlfriend, Lily. Nice to meet you. Your point?"

Hermione meandered into the room, barefoot, wearing an oversized Quidditch jersey (James's) and her hair was a wild forest of curls that wove and dove around each other. "What are you bickering about so early in the morning?"

Hermione yawned, a hand in front of her mouth.

"Sirius is dictating how James's birthday is going to go for him. Says he has it 'all figured out'. I was saying that James should be able to choose how he wants to spend his special day." Lily huffed, folding her arms over her chest with a curt nod.

"Your only grievance is I didn't pencil in 'James and Evans' time," Sirius rolled his eyes. Lily unfolded her arms, reached around James, and jabbed a finger into Sirius's chest.

"That's not true! You have an itinerary from dawn all the way to midnight. You don't think that is a little ridiculous?"

"You're right. I should have started earlier. Especially because you are cutting into 'Breakfast outside' lovingly prepared by yours truly," Sirius said, nose in the air as he dramatically withdrew a piece of parchment from the front pocket of his leather pants.

Hermione whistled lowly. "Okay, whilst the pair of you come to a consensus…Draco and I have a surprise for our brother."

The Potter Patriarch was drawn into the room by all the ruckus. He strolled into their midst, cup of tea in hand. "What's all this then?" Charlus asked, bemused. He hastily muttered a spell and sent the cup floating through the air over to the nearest table because his son was thunderously sprinting in his direction.

Charlus easily caught James. He spun him in a circle and went to put him down, but James had other ideas; he clambered up his Father's body—rumpfling Charlus's loose, cream linen shirt that was partially tucked into his dark, cotton trousers.

Charlus planted his boots firmly on the ground, a breath of laughter escaping as he spoke, "eighteen years old, and you're still my little boy, hm?"

James's laughter shook the pair of them, his arms were loosely linked around Charlus's neck. Charlus's hands were gripping the underside of his son's thighs to stop him from slipping to the ground. "That would be correct, Dad."

Draco made an appearance, bare-chested, his black pyjama bottoms nestled high on his hips. Draco's scars were on full display, and Lily's mouth rounded in shock for a moment before her jaw clamped shut and she looked back at Sirius. The crimple in her brow made it evident she was still thinking about it, but she resisted the urge to ask. They hadn't been there a few years ago.

Draco stopped and lazily leant on the doorframe, sleeping weighing on his eyelids. "You lot are bloody loud."

"What about you, Draco?" Charlus asked.

"What about me?"

"You want a ride on Papa's back too?" Charlus joked. James spoke into Charlus's ear, and Charlus nodded in response, eyes still locked on Draco. Charlus dropped his hold on James's, and the boy landed with grace, hands out to the side.

"I'm okay, thanks, Dad. I'll leave that to the birthday boy."

Hermione padded over to her Father and brother. She let out a yelp in shock, as Charlus—sleek and fast like a panther—jumped out to the side and swooped her up and into his arms; princess style. "How is my little Princess doing?"

Hermione had one arm around Charlus's neck, the other was on her chest as she caught her breath. An airy laugh erupted from her, "I'm great."

Draco took that opportunity to pull James to the side, their heads ducked close together as Charlus waltzed around, Hermione still in his arms.

Sirius held out a hand to Lily, a peace offering of sorts. Lily smiled wryly at him before accepting his proffered hand. The pair joined the Father-daughter duo. Sirius twirled Lily in dazzling circles, and she laughed brightly.

Off to the side, Draaco asked James, "did Hermione tell you about our gift yet?"Draco slung his arm around his brother's shoulders.

"She mentioned it, but then Dad showed up and I got a bit distracted," James admitted, adjusting his glasses on his nose's slope.

"Hermione and I each picked one of our favourite moments with Mum that you weren't there for, and we were going to take you through them in a pensieve later."

"What? Really?" James asked, his hand curved upwards to grip Draco's shoulder. Emotion thickened in his throat.

"Of course," Draco said softly. James ducked into his brother's arms, hugging him tight with heavy gratitude.

On the other side of the room, Hermione's head was thrown skyward, her arms thrust above her head. She closed her eyes, and she could hear all the joyous sounds reverberating through the room, and for a glittering moment, everything was right in the world.