Priori Incantatem [HARRY POTTER FANFICTION]

Chapter 58: Like Old Times

Chapter 58: Like Old Times

February 1981

"Give it up, Potter!"

"Never!" James rolled away from what could have been a crippling blow and launched himself behind the safety of the sofa. He crouched there, catching his breath and wondering what to do next. Much though James hated to admit it, he was getting tired. He needed to find a way to win this duel, and he needed to do it now.

"I've got you cornered," James' opponent moved toward him, smirking evilly. "Face it; you can't win this one."

"That's what you think," James retorted, and flung a bolster at him as hard as he could. His opponent stumbled, distracted, and James launched himself over the sofa to attack.

It would've been perfect if James hadn't caught his foot. Instead of landing neatly on top of his assailant, he knocked into him as he fell and both of them landed with a loud "Oof!" beside Harry's baby seat.

Harry laughed and squirmed in his chair. Even though he was fairly certain he'd punctured a lung, James managed to grin up at his son.

"Uhh."

James' grin widened at the sweet sound of defeat coming from his opponent's general direction. He opened his mouth to gloat, savouring the words –

"Had enough, Darth? Obi Wan?"

James sat up so fast he knocked his head soundly on Harry's baby seat. Shaking off the stars dancing round his skull, James saw Lily and Remus standing by the door, both of them highly amused.

"How long have you been standing there?" James asked with as much dignity as he could muster. He lay back down on the carpet and closed his eyes, hoping that the little stars would go away.

"Long enough, Remus replied. He tried and failed to hide a smile. "Did you finally kill Sirius?"

"I'm here," Sirius wheezed as he sat up rubbing his rib cage. "That was cheap," he complained to James, then looked round at Lily and Remus. "And what exactly did you call us?" he eyed Lily narrowly.

"Never mind." Lily had given up attempting to explain most Muggle references. Instead, she stepped over James with one foot to pick up Harry, apparently forgetting that she was wearing a Muggle skirt.

"What brings you back here so soon?" James folded his arms behind his head as he admired the view.

"Forgot some papers," Lily explained as she stepped back over James and handed him the baby. She had a meeting with her parents' solicitor to go over yet more paperwork, which had prompted Sirius to come and keep James and Harry company. "I was on my way back in to get them when I ran into Remus."

"I thought I'd pop in for a visit," Remus smiled a trifle uncertainly, as if not quite sure of his welcome.

"We're glad you did," Lily told him as she snatched her papers up from the sofa. "I have to run just now, but hopefully I'll see you later."

"All right," Remus gave his hesitant smile again.

Lily crouched down next to her husband and son. "Bye-bye, Harry," Lily waved exaggeratedly at the baby.

"C'mon, Harry, wave like this," James urged, copying Lily's wave. Harry watched his parents wave at him with a slightly concerned expression, as though he wasn't sure they were entirely sane.

"Oh, sod it," Lily relented as she caught sight of the baby's expression. "He isn't going to do it."

"We have to keep trying," James continued to wave at Harry. "Wave to Mummy, Harry," he coaxed. "C'mon, wave like Daddy."