Raising Harry

chapter 7

I awoke late at night. I could tell because the sky outside was an inky black. I had accidentally fallen asleep in the nursery on the floor. I could feel something tight around my hand.

My bloody knuckles had been wrapped up while I was asleep. I assume by James. I sat up quietly. The blanket that was over slid off and I could feel the cold. I assume that the blanket was also a touch from James.

I looked over at the cot Harry was sleeping peacefully. I stood up slowly making sure I didn't wake him. I then quietly walked over to the door and opened it. Then shutting it carefully behind me.

I walked into the hallway and silently made my way to James and I's bedroom. I opened the door. It creaked a little as I shut it.

I walked over to the dresser and pulled out pajama pants. I was far too cold and tired of worrying about what to wear to bed.

I took off my nice neat fancy outfit and slid on my pants. I didn't feel like wearing a shirt to bed so I just went to bed shirtless.

I slid under the covers. I felt relieved when the hot air from under the covers hit my freezing skin. I thought that I had managed to slip into the bed unnoticed by James.

But he rolled over and I could see throught darkness that his eyes were open. "Miss me already." He whispered.

"Shut up Potter." I smiled as he wrapped his arms around me and we both fell asleep.

10/10/1981
I woke early the next morning before James. I spent most of the night awake think about what I had done. I was an idiot a fool.

It was a miracle James even stayed with. No matter how hard I tried to push back the thoughts of last night they just kept coming back.

I decided to distract myself. I got out of bed and walked down to the glum kitchen. It was no longer alive like the night before. The dim morning light shun lightly through the window.

I got out and pan and decided to make James breakfast as a sort of apology. I placed the pan on the stove and started to make eggs.

It was about an hour later until I heard James tumbling down the stairs. "What's that smell?" He asked as he walked into the kitchen.

"I made breakfast." I turned around to show him a plate of half burnt toast and the one egg that wasnt burnt to a crisp.

"All by yourself." He smiled and sat down at the counter. On a stool.

I placed the plate in front of him. He was looking at it with discomfort. I know it looked burnt and probably tasted foul. But if James leaves me he'll eat it.

"Looks." He hesitated. Probably wondering if he should lie or not. "Delicious." He lied.

I watched barley able to keep in a laugh as James slowly picked it up. I was enjoying watching him try to eat it. But I feel like I tortured him enough last night.

"James you don't have to eat it." He quickly put the toast back down and said. "Thank merlin." Then he looked at me. "I mean oh no."

I laughed at his comment. I took his plate and threw the scraps in the bin. "I think that's the last time I cook." I said walking back over to James.

"Yeah maybe." James laughed.

As I got closer to him he pulled me between his legs. I was short so his face was at the same height as my shoulders that's probably because he was on a stool. He wrapped his arms tightly around my waist. He rested his head on my chest.

I pushed back his hair back as though he was a sleeping cat. "We don't get moments like this anymore." James said.

"No." I thought for a second then decided to apologise for last night. "James I'm sorry about last night. It was cruel of me." I looked sadly down at him.

James without even looking at me said. "Don't be sorry. It's not your fault you get mad."

I think I loved him more than ever in this moment. The only thing you could hear out the window were birds. Everything was peaceful and I was with one of my favourite people (other than Harry of course.)

But sadly the peace did not last long. James and I could hear Harry start to cry. "The baby." James said getting up. I could tell he was a bit tired from last night.

"James why don't you sleep and let me take care of Harry." I offered. I was hoping to spend more time with Harry.

Normally if Sirius made comments like he did last night I would be upstairs trying to stay out of it and making sure I didn't fuck up Harry's life by not being there. But that's what my parents would do. So I thought I might take the other approach.

"Thank you so much I love you Reggie." James kisses me lightly on the forehead and then walked back upstairs.

I followed him shortly after to collect Harry.

~Sometime later~

The whole day Harry and I spent together. I decided we could go to the park and get ice cream.

While we were at the park. I was approached by a familiar voice. "Regulus." I turned around to see Remus.

"Remus what are you doing here?" I asked.

"I was just getting some freedom in before Dumbledore sends me on another mission tonight." He said.

We both walked along the path. I was pushing Harry's stroller carefully trying not to wake him. "So is it the usual mission?" I asked.

"Yeah. Joining a wild pack of werewolves."

"Sounds lovely."

"I know."

"Does Grant know your going?" I asked. Remuses smile dissolved into a big of an upside down smile.

"We kind of broke up." He rubbed the back of his neck akwardly.

I knew that heartbreaks were just as hard for Remus as anyone else. I saw it when Sirius broke up with him. He blames his werewolf side for most of them. Says they can't deal with his condition. But that is entirely not true.

I stopped walking and put a hand on his shoulder. "Do you want to talk about it?" I asked.

But he just shook his head. I knew I should probably move off the subject. "Sorry about last night." I said to him "I kind of ruined the party for everyone."

"What no never. It was Sirius who crossed the line. Don't tell him I said that."

"I won't." Remus and I laughed. We both talked about all sorts of things. Until it turned to dusk.