James clutched his chest as he set in a healer's examination room at St. Mungo's accompanied by Perkins and Roberts, two Phoenix Pioneer players. He had accidentally been hit by a bludger while watching one of the team practices of the team he owned. Despite insisting he would be fine with self-healing spells, his players insisted on taking him to the hospital. He agreed out of respect for their concerns even if he was still convinced he didn't need a healer for a minor injury.

The door opened and an attractive blonde with big blue eyes, dressed in a healer's white coat entered. Her long hair was pulled back in a ponytail.

"James?"

"Jenny?"

"What happened?" she asked apprehensively.

"It's nothing to be honest. Just tiny bruises from being hit by a bludger."

Jenny kneeled down before him and leaned forward as she examined his bruises. He felt himself tingle as she ran her thin fingers around his torso. It felt odd that he would feel this way. But it was nothing. He just hadn't been touched that way in a long time, he told himself. Jenny furrowed her brows as she healed his wounds with her wand.

"All done." She stood up blushing.

"Right. Thank you very much, Jenny." He quickly pulled down his shirt before getting up from his seat.

"How's Harry?"

"Brilliant. Just started his second term at Hogwarts. Has his Quidditch match against Hufflepuff on Saturday."

"That's great. Last game was against Slytherin, so I presume my Ravenclaw is scheduled to defeat Gryffindor next," she said cheekily as he grinned.

"May the best team win," he said. "Speaking of games, we have get to back to team practice. We play the Strikers in two weeks."

"Good luck with the game. And wish Harry luck for me."

"Certainly. Take care, Jenny and thanks once again," he said as he exited the room with Perkins and Roberts

"You know her, sir?" asked Perkins after they had left the examination room.

"Yeah, we're good friends."

"Just friends?" Roberts winked suggestively.

James crossed his arms. "Yes, just friends."

Harry's game against Hufflepuff ended within a few minutes as he managed to catch the snitch. Unlike his last fluke shot victory where he spat his snitch out, this was a clear victory. And a really quick one at it. He finally felt like he had achieved something on his own other than just being a famous name. He felt a surge of pride as his dad and his uncles congratulated him and told him how proud they were of him.

"Harry, what took you so long?" asked a worried James as Harry returned to the tent after returning his broom to the broomshed.

Harry looked around and saw that the changing room was empty except for the Marauders, Ron and Hermione.

"Dad, I just saw Snape and Quirell in the Forbidden forest," said Harry.

"In the Forbidden Forest?"

"Yes, I saw Snape enter the forest and followed him there".

"Harry." James crossed his arms.

Harry gulped as he looked down, refusing to meet his father's eyes. "He seemed up to something, so I had to follow him. And it's a good thing I did."

"What did you see?" asked Sirius.

Harry recounted how he heard Snape and Quirell discussing the Philosopher's Stone and how Snape asked Quirell about his hocus pocus and threatened him when the latter refused to answer. Harry reckoned there were other things besides Fluffy guarding the stone including Quirell's hocus pocus and that Snape wanted to get past it.

"Well, there goes giving Snape the benefit of the doubt. Clearly he is trying to get past the three-headed dog to steal the Philosopher's Stone and trying to blackmail Quirell to do it," said Sirius.

"Maybe Harry misunderstood the conversation," said Remus.

"Said did not. Snape asked Quirell if he found out how to get past Fluffy. He then asked him about his hocus pocus and threatened him when he refused to answer," said Harry indignantly.

"Harry, even if Snape is trying to steal the stone, do you really think he can under Dumbledore's watch?" asked Remus. "Don't you think Dumbledore has made sure the stone is well protected that any attempts to steal it would be unsuccessful?"

"From what Harry says, the stone's only safe as long as Quirell stands up to Snape," said Hermione.

"What if Snape figures out Quirell's hocus pocus?" asked Harry.

James put an arm on his shoulder. "Son, how about I tell Dumbledore about what you saw and have him look into it?"

"Alright" Harry nodded.

"Alright, it's getting late. We should get going. I'll see you at during your next game." James kissed Harry's forehead and embraced him.

The Marauders left after exchanging goodbyes with the Golden Trio.

The next few weeks passed by almost uneventfully. His father had written to Dumbledore who had in turn replied that he would look into it. This relaxed Harry a little. Quirell looked paler and more frightened than usual but seemed to be doing well in not giving in to Snape's threats.

James's 32nd birthday was a relatively small event. Sirius, Remus and Miranda brought over a cake and several gifts. He received more gifts and greeting cards from other friends and relatives including Harry and Jenny vis owl.

They sat in the hall opening gifts after James had cut his birthday cake. James unwrapped the package that arrived from Jenny and looked with awe at the bronze leather bound book. It was a first edition copy of The Mystery of the Leather Box.

"Is that a first edition copy of your favorite book?" Sirius asked slacked jawed.

"Jenny must have gone through a lot of trouble to get hold of that," said Remus.

As touched as he was, James knew where they what they getting at and it made him uncomfortable.

"James, Jenny has been in love with you for years," said Miranda.

"But that was years ago when Lily was still alive. I told her that I loved Lily and only liked her as a friend. I'm sure she got over those feelings years ago."

"No, she hasn't. She tries to hide it, but as her best friend, I can tell. She wanted to move on and let you be happy with Lily. But now that Lily has been gone for years, why not give her a chance?" asked Miranda.

"Because … it would be betraying Lily's memory."

"No it won't. I'm sure Lily would want you to be happy." said Remus.

"I am happy. I have my son and my best friends. That's all I need."

"What about Jenny? She's thirty but still single because she has you in her heart. At least subconsciously, she's waiting for you."

"I never asked her to wait for me, Miranda," said James indignantly. But he felt pang of guilt at the things Miranda said. "I've never given her any impression that I was interested in getting married again."

"Mate, don't you want the companionship?" asked Sirius.

"No. I have all the companionship I need. Look, let's not argue about this anymore. Can we please move on to the next gifts and preferably another topic?"

"Alright, let's drop it. Let's not upset James on his birthday," said Sirius.

=to be continued=

A/N: Please, please review so that I know if it's good or I'm going in the right direction.

Please remember to follow the story if you want updates and favorite if you like the story so far.

I haven't fully decided on whether James should end up with Jenny yet. If there are enough objections in the comments, I won't get them together. Is it realistic to have James single forever?