Author's Note:

There are a few key things that I want to happen before Harry goes to Hogwarts, but it is coming soon. I like to think that if Harry and Neville had become friends when they were younger they would have talked more about how they both had lost so much, how they both lost their parents, and they would bond over it, I guess. Anyway, I hope you like this chapter.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the lyrics to In My Life by the Beatles.

Reviews and Comments: To E-Dett: I think Harry will always be mostly well-behaved, but all children act out sometimes. Thank you! I am sorry you're disappointed about Sirius and Althea, but I am excited for who he will end up with so I hope you like her. To geekymom: Thank you! To M: Thank you! I like sharing the Jily moments and yes, well redheads are generally a bit more explosive when you piss us off. I definitely think Lily and James had some Ron/Hermione-esque arguments in their past. I think Harry knows now to make Ginny upset because of that, but they get along too well and know each other too well for that to be come a major contention. Thank you for saying it's realistic for Harry to start to disobey Sirius a bit more, I agree. He would become a bit more rebellious at times. Don't worry, I have plans for Sirius and grey hair LOL. To alix33: Thank you! Marauder is definitely a good boy! To Claire Fraser: Sirius deserves to have some bouts of sex or two, I think lol. Yes, he will have a love interest and no, you haven't met her yet. Thank you for saying I perfectly addressed that moment of panic a parent feels. I'm glad you enjoyed Remus swearing up a storm and slapping Sirius while he panicked haha. Thank you very much!

Thank you very much for reading and please, please review!

Your reviews give me life! They give me inspiration! And they make me want to keep writing for more than just myself! Thank you!

CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE:

The One With the Giant Cheese Fort

The thunder cracked across the sky making Neville jump and Harry laughed as he settled himself in the hammock in the tree house. Neville hopped up into the hammock with him, grinning back.

"It gets me every time."

Harry grinned. "I noticed," he said, chuckling at his friend. "Two days ago I was at a wedding in Greece with Uncle Siri and the first day you come over to play and there's a huge thunderstorm."

Neville smiled at him, settling himself comfortably in the swinging hammock. "It's okay. I like storms. I find them soothing."

Harry nodded, agreeing. He loved to just listen to the thunderstorm, watch the lightning illuminate the sky, and watch the colours of the sky change dramatically as the storm moved across the horizon.

"Me too."

It was almost midnight and the lightning illuminated the night sky, but the fairy lights kept a dim glow in the treehouse. Neville was staying with them the whole weekend, much to the delight of both Harry and Neville. Augusta Longbottom was traveling to see an old friend in Paris and Neville had asked if he could stay with Harry and Sirius instead of going to stay with his great uncle Algie. Harry and Sirius had been pleased to have him.

They had spent the afternoon playing outside and helping Sirius wash his motorbike. Sirius had taken Neville for a spin on the bike and then the three of them had played football in the yard. Sirius had gone inside to make dinner and Harry and Neville had played with Marauder. Now Sirius was in the house and the two of them were supposed to be sleeping, but the storm had woken them up.

"This treehouse is the best thing ever," Neville said. "I still can't believe that Sirius built it for you. He's the absolute coolest."

Harry smiled. He had to agree with that statement. "Uncle Sirius is the best."

Neville smiled sheepishly at him. "You're so lucky to have him, Harry."

"I know, Nev," Harry told him. "I think about it sometimes, how different my life would be if I was still living with those Muggles."

"You dream about them sometimes, don't you?" he asked, quietly, looking at Harry through the sides of his lashes. "They treated you badly."

Harry hesitated and then he nodded. He had never told any of his friends about how bad it had been before Uncle Sirius. He had been dreaming about them before the storm had woken him. "Sometimes."

Neville nodded. "You cried out in your sleep about not wanting to be alone in the dark and… not to hurt you, so I wondered." He was quiet for a moment. "I didn't want to ask you, but you were talking in your sleep and… were the Muggles really that bad, Harry?"

Harry nodded, looking at his friend. "They hurt me a lot," he admitted, his face flushing. "I did magic sometimes by accident and they called me a freak and they punished me for it."

"A freak?"

"Yeah," he said, flushing redder. "Uncle Sirius says that anything they told me is a lie and that I'm supposed to forget about it. But sometimes… sometimes, I can't forget."

Neville smiled at him. "I don't think you're a freak, Harry. I think you're just unlucky like me. Both of us lost our parents. Yours died, but you got Sirius. Mine are… well, you know, and I got Gran. Sirius loves you and he's the best dad in the world and Gran loves me and she's a great grandmother and mum too sometimes, but… they're not our real parents."

"I don't even remember my parents," Harry said as the thunder made both of them jump this time.

Neville nodded, his eyes looking out at the storm as he spoke. "Harry, can I tell you something?"

"Yeah?"

Neville bit his bottom lip before he looked at his friend. "You're going to think I'm stupid."

Harry shook his head. "No, I won't."

Neville twisted his hands in his lap as he spoke. "Gran is taking me to see my parents tomorrow for our weekly visit after she picks me up."

"Uh-huh."

"And… I don't like going there."

"Don't you want to see your mum and dad, Nev?"

Neville shook his head. "It's rather horrible to go there. Mum and Dad just smile at me and talk about strange things. Gran says that they love me and that they love when I come visit but… I don't think they know who I am, not really."

Harry hesitated before he spoke. Neville had never really talked about his parents before. The only thing that Harry knew was they were still alive, but that Neville lived with his grandmother. When he had asked Uncle Sirius about it, Sirius had told him that something bad had happened to Frank and Alice Longbottom when Neville was a baby and now they had to live in a special ward in St Mungo's.

"Neville, why don't you live with your parents?"

"They're insane."

Harry's eyes widened in surprise. "Insane?"

Neville picked at the string hanging from his shirt, not meeting Harry's gaze. "Death Eaters attacked us when I was a baby and they tortured my mum and dad. Gran says that they were very brave, but that their minds were destroyed. They don't really remember me nor who they are most of the time. But they know each other and love each other. Gran says that's a good thing. But sometimes when I go there, Harry, I don't know what to say to them. I come here and I see how great Sirius is and… I wonder if my dad would be brilliant like that, if he weren't mad that is."

Harry nodded, sympathetically. "I'm sure he would be."

Neville pulled a pink gum wrapper from his pocket. "My mum gives me these whenever I see her. Gran always tells me to throw them out but… I keep them. That's stupid, isn't it?"

"No, it's not. She's your mum, Neville. I… I don't remember my parents, not really. Uncle Sirius and Uncle Remus are always telling me about them, but I don't really remember them," he said sadly. "But on Halloween, we go to Godric's Hollow and to their graves and we talk to them and on their birthdays we went this year too. And I feel bad when I go."

"Why?"

Harry shrugged, his eyes on his friend. "Because I go to see them and to honour their memory and I don't really remember them. Sometimes… sometimes I… I pretend that Uncle Sirius is my dad. I like to think he is."

Neville grinned. "He's the greatest dad. Sometimes I wish he was my dad too."

Harry grinned back. "The best dad in the world! But then I remember that I had a real dad once and I feel bad for wishing Uncle Sirius was my dad when I don't really remember my real dad."

Neville shook his head. "Nah, that's not a bad thing, Harry."

"It's not?"

"No. Sirius is kinda your dad. He lives with you and he takes care of you and loves you like a dad should. Your dad would too, but he died. I'm sure he'd understand if you thought of Sirius as a dad. I think my dad would understand that I sometimes wish Sirius was my dad too."

Harry rubbed his hand over his churning gut. "Maybe he would. My dad sounds like he was the coolest bloke. Uncle Sirius says that he once made an entire castle the size of the kitchen table entirely out of cheese and toothpicks. He decorated it with kiebalsa and crackers and would only let his mum get rid of it by helping him eat it."

Neville laughed. "That sounds awesome! We should make a cheese castle."

Harry grinned. "I don't know if we have enough cheese."

Neville smiled. "I bet Sirius wouldn't even get mad."

"Nah, he'd help us," Harry said with a grin. "Nev?"

"Yeah?"

"Sirius can be your kinda dad too, if you want."

Neville beamed at him. "Thanks, Harry."

Harry beamed back at him. "So, should we go into the kitchen and see if we can make a giant cheese fort?"

Neville grinned widely. "Definitely."

Three hours later, they had definitely made a giant fort. It wasn't entirely made out of cheese, but it was held together by toothpicks and thick slices of bread held the corners together. The mix of bread, cheese, crackers, and salami covered most of the kitchen table. They used fruit for the doors and windows and broccoli as the decoration, adding tiny trees outside of it. Harry grabbed the camera and took a picture of their work and then they sat down and started to eat it.

It was where Sirius found them two hours later, curled up asleep in the kitchen half inside the fort they had made.

His eyes had widened at the sight of it and all he thought was that he should never have told Harry about James building a cheese fort when they were twelve. But he had to admit, they had done a bang-up job. He helped himself to the grapes on the top, heading over to the wireless record player and putting on the new Guns and Roses album that he had picked up in Muggle London.

Neville immediately opened his eyes, grinning at Sirius. "Good morning."

"Morning, Nev," Sirius said with a grin, helping him out of the fort. "Looks like you two were busy last night."

Neville yawned hugely, stretching his arms out. "The storm woke us up."

Harry crawled out next, blinking owlishly as he adjusted his crooked glasses. "Hi, Uncle Sirius."

"Hmm," Sirius said, crossing his arms in front of him. "Well, it looks like a pretty great castle, well planned," he said, eyes on the fort. "However, you did make it pretty large, which means I hope you two are hungry."

"Can't we have waffles for breakfast?" Harry asked.

Sirius shook his head. "Can't let this food go to waste, Harry. It looks like you two are eating this fort for breakfast and lunch." He reached forward and broke off a chunk of cheese. "At least you used healthy choices," he said as he popped the cheese into his mouth and tapped the fort with his wand to keep the food fresh and chilled, smiling at the boys. "Now, what's the plan for today, guys?"

Harry and Neville grinned at each other and then they both tackled Sirius to the ground, tickling him as Sirius laughed and tried to disentangle himself from the boys. When he finally managed to break free, he grinned widely at them.

"Oh, this means war."

The three of them spent the morning playing an intense game of tag that involved hiding, pranks, and elaborate traps set to avoid getting caught. When Neville hid in the fort, Sirius was forced to eat his way through the salami and cheese sandwich to find him only to have his face covered in water and Neville escaped. Sirius cornered Harry, but got blasted by silly string as Neville shot him with the Nerf gun and distracted him so that Harry could escape.

Sirius picked up Neville, flipping him upside down and carrying him across the garden as he giggled madly and Harry laughed. "All right midgets, you two win!"

"Yes!" Harry exclaimed as Sirius put Neville on the ground.

Sirius smirked at them. "Now, how about we get dressed for the day?"

Neville grinned up at him. "Or you could tell us a story?"

Sirius ruffled Neville's hair. "I'm not much of a story teller, kid, that's more Remus' area of expertise."

Neville pouted. "Tell us something about our parents — you said that they were friends."

Harry nodded eagerly. "Yeah, Uncle Sirius, how were my mum and dad friends with Neville's mum and dad?"

Sirius sighed and took a seat on the lounge sofa on the patio, smiling when the two boys each crawled up on either side of him. He draped an arm around both of them.

"Um, let's see, a good memory of the four of them?" He looked thoughtful for a moment and then he grinned. "Well, when James and Lily got married, Frank and Alice were pretty fun to have around."

Neville smiled up at him. "My parents went to Harry's mum and dad's wedding?"

"Of course they did! They were friends," Sirius said, grinning as he remembered. "Alice was even a bridesmaid."

Lily was standing in front of the full length mirror in the dressing room of the church, taking deep breaths. She smiled when Sirius' hands rested on her shoulders.

"You're an absolute vision, Evans."

Her lips curved. "In less than an hour it's going to be Potter."

Sirius chuckled. "Hard to believe sometimes."

"You can say that again," Alice said as she carefully finished tying the blue ribbon around Lily's bouquet of pink apple blossoms. "Remember how hard she tried to deny it when it was obvious to everyone that she was falling for him?"

"You mean when James pulled his sweaty Quidditch jersey off after a game and she stopped talking to me mid-conversation and stared at him, her eyes widening. I watched her lick her lips and then she flat out denied it," Sirius said, grinning at his friend.

Alice laughed. "Or when she had those dreams about him?"

"I didn't get to hear about any dreams," Sirius said. "Maybe we need to share those."

"No!" Lily said, flushing red. "We absolutely do not, Alice!"

Alice smiled. "You and James were meant to be together, Lily. We all knew it in fifth year."

Sirius nodded. "Absolutely. James knew it from the first moment. Now, speaking of Prongs, I must go check on him as my best man status. Alice, keep doing what you're doing and keep her calm."

He let himself out of the dressing room just as Mary and Marlene, the other two bridesmaids, headed inside with a bottle of champagne. Sirius grinned when he recognized Frank Longbottom outside the groom's dressing room.

"Frank!"

"Hey, Sirius, I've been waiting on you."

"What's up?" Sirius asked, slipping his hands into his pockets.

Frank nodded out towards the church. "Snape's in the back row."

Sirius' eyes widened in surprise. "He showed up?"

"I thought someone should know. I know that he used to be friends with Lily, but I had understood that he was no longer her friend and I know that he and James aren't exactly chummy, so I wondered on why he was here."

Sirius nodded. "To see Evans is my guess. Don't worry about him, Frank, he's not going to do anything. But thanks for looking out."

Frank grinned. "Naturally, how's the groom doing?"

"Why don't you come inside and see?"

Sirius opened the door, Frank following him inside and laughed when he heard Euphemia.

"Jamie, if you'd just stop pacing I could get the cufflinks on you!"

"Mum," James said in exasperation, holding out his wrists to her. "How am I supposed to stand still? I'm getting married!"

Fleamont slapped his hand on his son's shoulder, grinning broadly. "That you are. She's a hell of a woman too, James."

"And she looks so gorgeous right now," Sirius said, grinning when his friend's eyes snapped to his. "I tried to convince her to have a nooner with me, but she said she didn't want to ruin the dress."

"Fuck off, Padfoot," James said with a grin. "No way in hell she'd sleep with you."

Sirius grinned. "I have my charms, Prongs."

"James is looking a bit nervous, eh, mate?" Frank asked, passing him a glass of champagne from the bottle Remus was pouring out.

"I'm terrified and a bit queasy and so happy," he said, taking a sip of champagne.

Fleamont smiled at his son. "I felt much the same on my wedding day and it was one of the happiest moments of my life. You should be terrified and queasy because you are so in love with that young woman that you can hardly breathe without her. Today you will wed her and you two will belong together. You will love and cherish her and don't let a single day pass without you telling her why she is the most important person in your life. Any man lucky enough to find love should thank his lucky stars every day. I know I do," he finished as Euphemia beamed at him.

"Oh, Monty," she said, standing on her toes to kiss her husband softly. "I love you."

"I love you more," he said, kissing her again.

Frank smiled at them. "I know I thank my lucky stars that Alice said yes. We've only been married for two months and I still can't believe it."

"Us married couples will have to hang out sometime, have a party, play some games?" James said with a grin.

Frank grinned back. "Talk about our women."

Sirius laughed. "Rem, Pete, you guys hearing this? We're being replaced by a woman and other married couples?"

Peter grinned. "Prongs is stuck with us, Padfoot, don't worry."

Remus nodded. "Lily already knows that by marrying Jamie she inherits us as well."

James grinned and ushered his three friends in close, arms around them as they huddled together. "You boys will always be my life, my most trusted friends, and my brothers. Lily is the love of my life, the most important person in my life outside of you three. I love you, guys!"

"Aww," Sirius said, kissing James noisily on the cheek.

James wiped at his cheek in disgust as he hugged his friends. "No kissing, you git!"

Remus laughed and hugged James tightly. "Lily is basically an honorary Marauder anyway. We love her and we love you. Congrats, mate."

Peter nodded, hugging James close. "You deserve this more than anyone. I hope you're both incredibly happy together."

"Thanks, Pete." James grinned at Frank and opened his arms. "Bring it in here, Longbottom."

Frank chuckled and hugged James. "Being married is wonderful, James. Congrats."

Sirius slapped his hands together and grinned. "All right, Mum, Dad, get our boy up to the altar there with Pete and Rem, I have to go find the beautiful bride-to-be and walk her up the aisle."

James beamed at him. "I'm marrying Evans."

Sirius grinned back. "You sure are." He squeezed his friend's arm and hurried back out to where Lily was. He stepped inside just as Mary spoke.

"I still can't believe that you are finally marrying James Potter after all the fuss you made about how much you would never even go on a date with him."

"Oh shush, I was wrong, okay?" Lily said, grinning widely. "And I've never been so happy to be proven wrong."

"Wow," Sirius said, staring at Alice, Mary, and Marlene in horror. "She must be under a spell. I think Evans just admitted she was wrong. Did the world end?"

Alice laughed and passed the bouquet to the bride. "Potter's heart will break when he learns the truth."

Lily rolled her eyes and took another deep breath. "James is everything to me. I can't wait to marry him."

Sirius kissed her cheek. "And trust me, love, he really can't wait to marry you." He held his arm out to her. "Are you ready?"

Lily accepted his arm, a huge smile on her face. "I've never been more ready in my life." She placed a hand over her stomach. "My heart is pounding and I'm… terrified and nervous as I've never wanted anything so much in my life."

"Your parents would be so proud of you," he said, kissing her cheek. "And I'm honoured that you've asked me to give you away in your father's place."

Lily smiled up at him. "I can't imagine anyone else I'd rather have walking me down the aisle in his place."

Alice dabbed at the corners of her eyes. "Oh, Lily, you're so beautiful! Let's get you married!"

Lily grinned widely and watched as Alice headed up the aisle with Mary and Marlene. When Sirius passed her to James, he was lit up like a Christmas tree, love in his eyes. The minister pronounced them man and wife and James scooped up his wife into his arms and kissed her deeply as the church cheered.

"At the reception afterwards, Frank gave a great toast to making new friends and growing old together," Sirius told them, a smile on his face. "Lily had always been friends with Alice, but we didn't really know Frank that well until after school had ended. He was two years ahead of us and we met him afterwards when we were fighting in the war. He was hopelessly in love with Alice. He would get this goofy look on his face whenever she walked into a room." He smiled at Neville. "That's why it's so wonderful to know that even though they don't have their minds fully anymore, their hearts still recognize each other like they recognize you."

Neville flushed and turned his head into Sirius' arm. "Sometimes I don't think they do."

Sirius kissed the top of Neville's head and then the top of Harry's head. "James and Lily and Frank and Alice were four of the bravest people that I have ever met. We can even call them power couples. They loved each other deeply and fully and they fought together back to back and side by side against the Death Eaters and against anyone who wanted to harm them or anyone they loved. Both Lily and Alice were beyond terrified when they found out that they were pregnant and when they learned that they were due almost the same day, they became even better friends, clinging to each other when James and Frank had to go out and fight and they were forced to stay back to keep you boys safe. Frank used to say that they were fighting the good fight so that their boys wouldn't have to. I remember watching the two of them, standing side by side, each holding a newborn in their arms… they were friends and they were allies. The war hurt all four of them. Voldemort killed Jamie and Lily. His followers, desperate to find their master, tortured Frank and Alice. But you two boys are the result of those two great love stories — don't ever forget that. I don't know what it's like to not remember your own parents, but I did know your parents, and you boys should be so proud to be their sons."

Neville and Harry both wrapped their arms around Sirius.

Harry looked up at his godfather, his green eyes wet with unshed tears. "I love you, Uncle Siri."

Neville nodded, hugging Sirius tightly. "Thank you for telling us that."

Sirius smiled and hugged both of them close.

~ ASC ~

When Neville went home and Harry closed his eyes in his own bed that night, he thought about what Sirius had said about how brave his parents had been. He hoped that one day he would be as brave as they had been. He wouldn't want to disappoint them.

Or Sirius.

It was the last thing on his mind as he drifted off to sleep.

He was crawling on the carpet while the grown-ups talked around him.

"And then I told her that if she didn't want me to bring her flowers anymore she only had to tell me," Peter insisted stubbornly, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "And then she told me that I was too sweet for her! What does that even mean? So, I walked out."

"Oh, Peter," Lily said, shaking her head as she draped an arm over his shoulder. "You are too sweet for her. I'm sorry that it didn't work out."

Peter shrugged, smiling at her. "Thanks, Lily. Am I really too sweet for her?"

Lily smiled warmly at him. "The sweetest. Jamie never brings me flowers anymore," she said, looking over at her husband, who was letting his Snitch fly out and clapping, whenever Harry caught it in his hand.

"Hmm?"

Sirius slapped James on the head with the rolled up newspaper in his hand. "You don't bring your wife flowers."

James' eyes widened looking rather a lot like a deer caught in the headlights. "Sure, I do! Don't I?" he asked as Harry crawled into his lap attempting to take the Snitch from his father's hand amidst the distraction.

Lily bent down and kissed him, sighing when he cupped her neck and held her to him, deepening the kiss. "I still love you. You're safe."

He grinned foolishly as she stood up and he kissed his son's forehead. "You hear that, Harry? Mummy still loves me."

"Da, snish!" Harry exclaimed, hands groping the air.

James grinned and let the Snitch fly out again, smirking when Harry grasped it quickly. "Future Quidditch star, Evans."

Lily smirked and turned back to Peter. "Pete, do you want to stay for dinner? I know you were supposed to take Charlene out tonight."

Peter shook his head, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Nah, thanks though. I think I'm going to just go home. I'll check on Mum first on my way. Where's Rem tonight?"

"Dealing with Mr Lupin's lawyer. I asked him if he wanted me to come, but he wanted to do it alone," Sirius said, glancing out the window as if he hoped his friend would be walking up the drive. He stood up as well, kissing Lily's cheek. "I'll come with you to visit your mum, Pete, before I go home."

Peter nodded. "She'd love that." He ruffled Harry's hair. "Bye, Prongs II."

"Bye-bye-bye!" Harry said, arms extended towards Peter.

Peter hugged him goodbye and Sirius did the same and then Harry crawled back over to his father.

"Da!"

James grinned and picked up his son, standing him on the floor before him. "I know you miss the Marauders already, Harry, me too."

Lily sat down on the floor next to her husband, stretching out and wrapping an arm around his waist, her head resting in his lap as she smiled at their son. "I feel so bad for Peter. Charlene treated him quite terribly."

"Mmhm," James murmured, his hand gently running through his wife's hair. "I didn't like her from the first."

"I know, but Peter seemed to. I didn't want to say anything to him, but I think she was cheating on him."

"He deserves better."

"I wish he'd get back with Madison. They were great together," Lily said, remembering the brunette that Peter had dated for almost eight months and had brought to their wedding.

James smiled. "Babe, you can't try to marry off all of my friends. Let them find happiness on their own."

Lily smiled up at him, laughing when Harry lied down next to her, his head resting on his father's knee. "I can't help it. I want everyone to be as ridiculously happy as I am. Then I feel guilty for being so happy when there's a war going on." She kissed Harry's cheeks, his nose, his forehead. "And you make me so happy, Harry, yes, you do."

He giggled and planted a wet kiss on his mum's lips. "Slooch!"

Lily snuggled him close, sitting up and smiling when James opened his legs and she settled herself back against him, her son in her arms and James' arms wrapped around both of them. "Sometimes Jamie, I wake up in the middle of the night and I see you lying next to me and I just think, this is what happiness is. Am I wrong for wanting our brothers to have it too?"

James kissed her ear. "No, you're not wrong. I just think that you have many years before it happens. If anyone is going to take the plunge next I'd put my vote on Pete. Sirius is too much of a terminal bachelor; shags them and leaves them, and we both know how Rem feels about it."

"I wish Moony would see himself the way we do. Any woman would be so lucky to have him."

James kissed her ear again, smiling as Harry played with the necklace around his mother's neck. "I know, love." His lips trailed down the side of her neck.

Lily tilted her head to give him better access, smiling at Harry and sighing when James began to suck on her skin. "Jamie, Harry is right here."

James smiled against her skin. "So? It only shows him how much in love his parents are."

Lily turned and kissed him deeply. "It's time for Harry to have a nap anyway. Maybe we can have a little nap too, but ours will be naked."

James grinned widely and kissed her softly. "I like the way you think, Mrs Potter."

Lily passed Harry to her husband. "Why don't you go lie him down and I'll get dinner prepped?" She kissed Harry's cheek. "Daddy is going to put you down for a nap, Harry. Mummy will see you when you wake up. I love you."

"Mumma!" Harry said, smiling at her.

James tossed Harry up into the air before he snuggled him into his shoulder as he stood up. "Come on, little man, time for bed." He headed up the stairs, holding Harry close. "When you go to sleep, Mummy and Daddy are going to have their own little nap, a naked nap," he added grinning to himself.

"Da!"

James kissed Harry's forehead, sitting down in the rocking chair in the nursery. "Come on, Harry, time to sleep, okay?" He cradled him over his heart, gently rocking the chair back and forth. "Daddy will sing to you."

Harry stared up at him, green eyes wide as James began to sing.

"There are places I'll remember, all my life though some have changed. Some forever not for better, some have gone and some remain. All these places had their moments, with lovers and friends I still can recall; some are dead and some are living, in my life I've loved them all. But of all these friends and lovers, there is no one compares with you. And these memories lose their meaning, when I think of love as something new. Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them, in my life, I love you more. Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them, in my life, I love you more."

He placed a kiss on the top of Harry's head, "I love you more, Harry." He carefully put him down on his back in his crib, smiling down at him. "Now you go to sleep, little man."

Harry grinned up at him, eyes drooping and James gently rubbed a hand over his belly as Harry stared up into the loving hazel eyes.

When Harry opened his eyes, Marauder was sleeping on his feet and he felt like warm arms were wrapped around him. He could almost feel his father's hands on him and he reached for the stuffed stag, cuddling it close. His parents had loved him and he didn't know if that had been a real memory or not, but it had felt so real and he felt so loved.

"I love you more, too, Dad," he whispered before he closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep, a big smile on his face.