December 6: 1980

19 days until Christmas…

It was certainly an odd party of people that stood in the Potters' living room that Christmas.

A large black dog was crouching on the floor, playing with a round-faced child who had the bright green eyes of his mother.

The child reached out and pulled on the dog's ear, and suddenly a handsome, dark-skinned man was sitting on the rug.

"Sirius!" a red-haired woman scolded, entering the room with a tray of pigs in blankets.

"Ah, just in time with the food, love," Sirius replied, stuffing two pieces into his mouth as she rolled her eyes.

"C'mere, Harry," said the boy's father. He stopped over to pick up the baby.

"Da!" Harry giggled, grabbing a handful of the man's tousled black hair.

He winced. "Ouch! No, please don't."

Sirius grinned. "Ah, James. If only you had taken my advice and stayed single."

"If only you had taken my advice and gotten married," the man named James mimicked, pulling the pretty redhead onto the couch next to him. "Best thing I ever did."

"Aww, that's so sweet," she said, wrapping her arms around him and resting her head in the crook of his neck.

"Built in chef, maid, and personal assistant," James said smugly. She pulled away and he laughed. "Just kidding, Lils."

She lifted Harry into her lap and glared at James. "Don't call me Lils."

"I'm sorry and I love you very much," James recited obediently.

Sirius gave a laugh that sounded more like a bark.

"Wonder when Remus is going to get here," James said, checking his watch.

As if on cue, the doorbell rang.

Sirius jumped up. "I'll get it!"

Remus came into the room carrying a few packages of supplies, which he gave to Lily. "Dumbledore asked me to give this to you. It's a Christmas present from your sister."

"Knowing her, I don't think I'm going to like it," Lily sighed, tucking it away under the tree. "Did you come with Peter?"

"Nah, he said he had some important things to do." Remus settled himself in an armchair and nibbled on some chocolate.

It was the kind of Christmas you have in movies.

James sat on the sofa with Harry on his lap and one arm around Lily's shoulders. Sirius tilted his chair back with his feet up on the coffee table. Remus rested his chin on his hand as he stared into the synthetic fire. The tinsel-covered Christmas tree provided a warm backdrop for it all.

A perfect Christmas.

None of them knew that for two of them, it would be their last.