Harry woke up to the sound of his alarm, and kids running down the hall, laughing and giggling. Cho, to his surprise, was not there. He pulled on his glasses, and went downstairs to find her, making breakfast, and pulling the mail from Chudley's leg. His feathers were seriously rumpled. She looked through it, to see who was writing to who, and sat Harry's mail off to the side, opening a letter to read it. She had her back facing him. Silently, Harry went up behind her, and wrapped his arms around her waist. She snuggled deeper into his chest.

"Hello." He said, kissing her neck. "Who's the letter from?"

"Hermione. She and Ron were writing to say hello." She looked up, and kissed his jaw. "Severus and Sirius wrote to you, by the way." He picked up the letter from Snape first, slightly startled. It read:

Potter,

I think your son is deranged. Last night, when you asked…rather, forced me, to babysit him, he talked nonstop about how you were out kicking bad guys butts. Please, never ask me that again.

Severus Snape.

Harry burst out laughing, and flipped the parchment over to reply.

Severus,

Sorry, but I was desperate, and I had no choice. Mum said you did fine. I do realize Charlus can be a handful, but he really is a great kid. You'll like him, Severus. The secret to shutting him up, is telling him you'll teach him something. You can talk for hours, and he never gets tired of it. Even better, he understands it.

Harry

He sent the letter off with Cho's owl, Aurora, and picked up Sirius' letter.

Harry,

I was wondering if you and Cho would fancy dinner any time soon. I know you're extremely busy, but we haven't really had the chance to catch up in a while. Scarlet and Cho would love it. Also, please make your mother stop insisting Snape likes Amy. Its weirding me out, because I have a hard time imagining him with anyone. It's weird! I'm sorry, but we still don't exactly get along, and… you understand. I know you talk him up and all, but it is all still very new to me. I haven't a clue how your father handles it…course, he's crazy about your mother.

Sirius

Harry, unsure of how he was going to even remotely begin how to reply to a letter like that, decided to check his schedule. Unfortunately, his missions and such had him busy until…well, next month. With a defeated sigh, he wrote back to Sirius, warning him. Suddenly, another owl came swooping in.

"Oh, Hermione." To his surprise, it was Draco who had sent the message. Suddenly, he was gone, when Cho had turned to give him breakfast. Fifteen seconds later, he had run back down the stairs, and, with a peck on the cheek goodbye, he ran off to his location.

Severus was reading the evening Prophet, when suddenly, he spit out the water he was currently attempting to drink. He looked closer at the paper, and began to read.

Earlier today, in the middle of a nasty custody battle, Scorpio Malfoy, son of successful lawyer Draco Malfoy and St. Mungo's clerk Pansy Parkinson reportedly disappeared. Malfoy remained calm, and insisted to his partner and attorney Hermione Weasly, he borrowed her owl. He wrote a message to Harry Potter, new acquaintance, and Harry showed up two minutes later. Harry had a team of people there in a moment and they searched for the boy. He wasn't found until much later, where he had reportedly left the courtroom to use the bathroom. They had found him crying in the hallway, scared, lost, and begging to stay with his father, who held the frantic boy, and remained calm. He reportedly lost control, and sent his son to see Malfoy's parents, and regained his composure. The boy is safely in the arms of his father once again, because the court recognized his father's ability to think quickly and not panic, while Ms. Parkinson could do nothing but say he was a horrible father.

Severus read the paper, his jaw totally dropped.

He wondered what Lily would say.

As if on cue, his Floo burst into life, green flames lighting the room, and a tiny frame shaking the soot from her close.

"Have you read-"

"Yes, and Harry's elated for Draco. I'm not sure I can agree…" She had a certain disliking for the Malfoy's, even though Draco had worked up the guts to apologize, unlike his overly-proud parents, and even went to the extent as to playing a round of chess with their daughter, Jamie. He lost.

"Come on, Lily. He's not a bad kid, if you just-"

"Sev, I told you, I don't like him. I can't figure out why, I just don't." Severus rolled his eyes.

"Lily, you're just prejudiced, because you don't like Narcissa."

"No, I'm not. Severus, you know me better than that."

"Whatever Lily. Aren't you supposed to be with Lupin or something?"

"No, Minerva. She's giving Amy her old Transfiguration job." Severus looked at her in surprise.

"Well, that's…unexpected." He said, his face giving away nothing. She rolled her eyes. "Oh, and I refuse to babysit your overly-talkative grandson again." Lily burst out laughing.

"Severus, he's a good kid. James explained the process of making a broom, and listened for four hours. Harry taught him about the inner workings of a clock, and you should really teach the boy about different potions ingredients. You already tutor Jason."

"The boy has parents of his own, Lily." She said.

"Severus, it was good for you to have some little kid company, albeit a chatterbox. But Charlus talks for a reason. James asked him once, why he loved to talk. He said that you can learn lots by talking to people." Severus said nothing, only looking at Lily in disbelief. "Believe what you want, Severus, he's a genius. Sirius'll have you believe he's a genius because of him, but it's Harry and Cho. It's the way they've raised him so far. Harry may have been an average student, but he loves to explore. He gets it from James." Severus couldn't argue that. "Harry's studying with James and Sirius to become an Animagus, you know."

"Is he now? Like father like son, wanting to show off for the ladies?" Lily slapped him. "Ow! Lily!"

"Severus, you know James was only trying to protect Remus from himself. James would do anything for Sirius or Remus, especially Sirius. He'd do anything for you too, if you asked. "Severus, who was still uncomfortable around James, blushed slightly and shifted awkwardly. That was not a common occurance for Severus, and Lily had been the only one to see it.

"Yeah right."

"Despite your old prejudices Severus, he does love me. And he knows you're my best friend. He's willing to make that sacrifice, even if it means being nice to someone he hated."

"Just one question…why? I mean…"

"Before you rant on about how cocky he is, just listen. While we were in hiding, James suddenly stopped talking to me. He would touch me, hug me, kiss me. He refused to sleep in the same bed as me. And it was cold where we were at. He wasn't eating, nor sleeping. He was distant."

"Is there a point to this, Lily, because a lot of your stories don't seem to anymore." She laughed.

"Let me get there Sev!" He laughed. "Well, suddenly, I found myself spooning with the man, and he suddenly was happy, and eating, and loving and affectionate. Something was off though. He wasn't his loud, rambunctious self like he had been. This was about the same time we miscarried."

"IS that possibly what caused it?"

"It might be, Severus. But we were twenty-five, and the man was already maturing. He was calmer, he was more responsible. I don't know where the epiphany came from, but he's become a lot more Remus-like than Sirius-like."

"A laconic old werewolf who became fluent in fifteen languages because he had the time?" Lily laughed.

"Yes. He claims he's the same James…but I disagree." She smiled at nothing in particular. Severus' facial expression said he was slightly weirded out by that. "I think he's…different. When James picked up his new-born baby girl, she was his whole world. He treated her like royalty. Which, I know he's always done for me…but this was different."

"What happened that you miscarried?"

"I don't honestly know, Severus. But I think it bothers James immensely, because he couldn't do anything. James likes to help, so feeling helpless isn't his strongest point. But he was amazing about it. He did everything he could to make me happy. Although, did you ever wonder why Arthur walked around with a slight limp for a little while?" Severus nodded, looking confused, then surprised. "James lost it, just a few days after the miscarriage. Arthur was trying to be consoling. And James took it the wrong way, and that was his snapping point."

"So, is that when he suddenly changed?"

"You never were so curious about my husband before. Yes, Severus it was." Lily went quiet for a moment. "You know, Sirius always did say bad things can happen for a reason."

"What? That's a ludicrous statement if I've ever heard one."

"I think he's right. HE was abused. If that never would have happened, he wouldn't have defied his parents, and moved in with James. Giving James a second brother was good for him. Between Sirius and Michael, James had room to be a Marauder, but had the room to be intellectual, and prosper. Remus became a werewolf, right? Without him, our world wouldn't slowly start to realize the good they could do us. You were a Death Eater."

"And?"

"And, you became spy, so nobody suspected a thing. Otherwise, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now. I wish a few things hadn't happened. But if our death fake or not, hadn't happened, Harry never would have killed Voldemort."

"All right, Lily, I get it." Severus held up his hands in surrender. "But what about Michael disappearing, or your parents dying? Lily, that didn't teach you anything."

"No, but James thinks he can find Michael, and my parents…well, Daddy and Mum are better off wherever they are now. They never would have survived the second war, and you know it." Severus looked at her.

"I'd have done everything I could to-"

"Doesn't mean it would help, Severus. Voldemort wasn't easily persuaded." She said. Severus had to agree in defeat, something else that was rare. Lily had seen so many sides that he'd hid behind a mask for so long. She knew it would be hard to get that Severus back, but maybe in small conversations with him would help.

"And maybe Charlus being an obnoxious chatterbox was a lesson too, Lily?" She laughed.

"Maybe. Amy's situation certainly was. You got a pretty girl and an apprentice."

"Okay, I'll take the apprentice. But Severus Snape draws the line at 'pretty girls'." Lily burst out laughing again.

"Severus, you've got to admit-" He bristled.

"I refuse to admit anything, Lily." He retorted. James, his hair on end, and in only a pair of Snitch pajama pants, came downstairs, yawning and stretching.

"Oh, hello, Severus."

"Potter." Severus said stiffly, awkwardly. Lily rolled her eyes. James bent down to kiss Lily on the forehead.

"What are you doing up?"

"My alarm clock was rude." He said. She laughed, like it was the funniest thing he had ever said. Something told Severus it was one of their weird inside jokes. "I have to cover Dora's night shift, apparently Teddy's got the stomach flu and they called Remus in for some recon assistance. He's-ah- sniffing out the area, as Kingsley so eloquently worded it." Lily giggled.

"I'll bet Remus is going to appreciate that."

"Well, seeing as it's full moon, they need me. Because I'll be the only one who can even remotely communicate, and, seeing as everything is top secret, Sirius can't actually be there."

"For someone whose alarm clock woke them up, you sure are informed." Severus muttered. James laughed.

"Yes, I wondered when someone would catch that." Severus smirked. Lily looked surprised. "Shaklebolt has a really annoying owl, and send way to long messages." Lily laughed.

"Try getting letters from him containing Order concerns." James laughed.

"I had that, accept it was from Frank Longbottom." Severus groaned.

"Don't remind me of his letter." Lily laughed again. "He sent me one in excruciating detail once, that I will not remove the images from my nightmares ever." James yawned, stretched, and laughed. He went into the kitchen.

"Coffee anyone?"

"James, it's ten at night. I'm not drinking coffee." Severus checked his watch.

"I should let you get to bed."

"All right. Thanks for the visit, Severus."

"No problem, Lily. I needed an escape from my idiot neighbors playing their ludicrous music." Lily pulled him into a rare hug, and saw him to the door. He Disapparated. Lily wnet into the kitchen, and kissed James goodnight. He seemed a little uncomfortable.

"Lily…I've been awake for hours. That mission isn't until tomorrow." He looked at her. "Why did you tell him about that?" James seemed…ashamed? But…why?

"Because, Severus needs to get it through his head, that people are willing to care about him. He was worried that, despite Harry's influence on the community, Severus would still be seen as a murderer. He doesn't think he's all that great, either."

"He needed to know-"

"All that bad stuff happened to him, so people could see the real him, James. Besides… I needed to get that off my chest. It had bothered me so bad that you beat yourself up over the miscarriage, it still does." James pulled her into his arms. They stood that way until Remus' owl came swooping in.

"What in the…?" James trailed off, and took the note from his leg. He scanned the letter quickly. He swore under his breath.

"What is it?"

"Looks like they need us tonight after all." He was gone in a flash, rushing up the stairs to pull on his robes. He came back downstairs, drained his coffee, and kissed Lily. "Goodnight, my love."

"Be careful, James." He smiled softly at her.

"I always am, dear." After James was gone, Lily caught the letter. It only said that they were needed, and Dora would be watching his kids. But the handwriting was unmistakably Remus', and he always charmed his parchment, so nobody could copy his handwriting.

Later that night, Lily woke up screaming. She had a nightmare, and knew something bad had happened at once. Lily pulled on her bathrobe, and realizedsomeone was pounding on the door. She ran to the door, and found Sirius, with Severus awkwardly standing behind him. She opened the door.

"Lily, I don't know why, but I have this horrendous feeling something happened to…" He went silent. Severus looked confused. Lily felt a sudden heat, and turned around to find the fireplace alight, with a head poking out.

"Remus!"

"Lily, it's james. He collapsed on the mission. He's at St. Mungo's now." Lily staggered back into Sirius. He steadied her and Apparated them to the hospital at once.

"James Potter." He said to the receptionist.

"He's in Intesive Care, only family can see him. Mr. Black, you certainly aren't family."

"I'm his wife." Lly said.

"All right. Healer Michael, could you take this lady to see James Potter?"

"Certainly." The tall figure in a Healer's robe looked oddly familiar. He lead her right to the room, where James was sleeping.

"His vitals are good, but he was…overcome with Dementors." Lily paled.

"What?"

"Luckily, Remus arrived before they took his soul. He's also being treated with…" The Healer looked concerned. "Well, he's got werewolf flu."

"How did he contact me through my Floo network then?"

"See, we aren't sure about that one." He said. "But, he's well enough for a visitor."

"Send Sirius. I want to go see my husband."

"Very well." They went in, and Lily sat in the chair. She immediately reached for his hand. James started to stir, then opened his eyes.

"Hi, Lily." He whispered. "You were right. Bad things can happen for a reason." She looked really confused. "You remember my big brother, right" Lily looked that the familiar Healer, when it all came back to her. She threw her arms around him. He laughed.

"Easy Lily. Michelle won't appreciate it if you broke my ribs."

"Sorry. It's great to see you."

"I;m happy to see you too. Now, James, you seem to be all right. We're going to keep him here, just in case Remus did pass on the werewolf flu to him."

"Okay." Lily kissed James on the forehead. He rolled over, and fell asleep. She smiled, and went back into the waiting room. Amy was sitting there, and Jason was vomiting into a trash bin.

"We think he caught Remus' flu." She said. After the boy finished vomiting, Severus helped Michael get Jason, who was violently shaking, onto a stretcher, to be whisked away for a room, and some testing.

"He's in good hands." Lily wanted James to tell everyone that he found his brother.

"I know." She said. Lily hugged her. Severus looked at Lily.

"How is James?"

"Okay. He got into a Dementor attack, but he seems to be healthy enough. He'll be home in a couple of days, after some testing and such. They want to make sure he's stable and everything. Remus has-"

"That flu. Apparently, the way it can affect werewolves differs by the hour, so Remus would have been healthy to send us the Floo, but in about ten minutes he could be sicker than Jason." Severus rubbed his eyes, clearly tired.

"Severus, go home." Lily said. "You need the sleep, I'm not leaving."

"Lily-"

"Don't argue with me, just do it." He sighed in defeat, and got up. He looked at her.

"Bad things do happen for a reason." He said quietly, before Disapparating into the night. Amy looked confused.

Sirius came back, looked around, and said, "Where did Severus go? We were in the middle of a really good conversation." Amy looked at him in surprise. Lily just smiled.

Yeah, I know, this one doesn't really go with the plot, but I wanted the attention away from Severus and Amy for a while. I really wanted something to teach Severus to loosen up a bit, and this seemed to work for being pretty on-the-spot. Please, let me know what you thing, PM me for questions! I'm on Christmas Break, so hopefully you'll get a few more reviews from me! Thanks!