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January, 1979
“This will be the perfect surprise,” James gushed, taking a sip of his drink. “She hasn’t a clue what we’re up to.”
“I’ll admit, I didn’t think you’d be able to keep the surprise this long,” Peter joked, earning a playful punch on the shoulder. “You have to admit that you’re generally loose-lipped.”
“What would Mary say if she heard you talking all this about my lips?” James ruffled Peter’s hair before moving to the window. They had to be pretty close by that point, didn’t they?
“I reckon they’ll be rounding the corner any minute now,” Regulus said in his ear, taking a place beside him and looking out the window. James beamed and turned to the rest of the party.
“Can I have everyone’s attention?” James held his wand to his neck to amplify his voice, only going back to normal when everyone was looking at him. “I want to thank you all for coming to celebrate our lovely Lily.”
“James—“
“Please hold all comments until the end,” James laughed, ignoring the snickers from his friends. “Remus and Mary have been distracting her all day so we could pull this off—“
“James—“
The only reason he turned was because of who had spoken. Regulus, holding in a laugh, was staring intently at him. He flicked his gaze to the door. When James turned to look, he was faced with the smiling face who was meant to be surprised. She pulled James and Regulus into a hug as everyone laughed about the turn of events.
“I was very close to pulling off the best surprise ever,” James said into her hair.
“Yes, of course you were.” James pulled away to look her in the eyes.
“It was a surprise, wasn’t it?”
Lily and Remus shared a look. “I’ve known since last week.”
“I was so—“
“Sneaky, yes—just, you left one of the invitations open on your desk.”
December, 1985
“They’re just wrapped so beautifully.” James threw an arm around his husband and his wife as they looked at the product of their labors.
“The presents will make it til morning, won’t they?” Lily nudged him in the side, so he mocked offense.
“Who, James? Spoil a surprise?” Regulus teased. “Doesn’t sound like him.”
“I think I’ve turned over a new leaf, yeah?” James tried to keep his voice level.
“You’ve let that boy in there trick you into giving him his presents early every year so far,” Lily pointed out. “If you’re not careful, you’ll start a tradition.”
“Please.”
Their conversation was cut short as they heard stirring from their five-year-old’s room.
“I’ll get the chamomile,” said Regulus.
“I’ll warm a blanket.”
“I’ll just go check on him,” finished James. They went their separate ways, determined to successfully put Harry back to bed.
James couldn’t explain how he’d gone from such a firm resolve to putty in the boy’s hands, but it was in the blink of an eye. By the time Lily and Regulus were back upstairs with bedtime supplies, half the presents were already opened. They couldn’t even say they were surprised.
September, 1996
“We just wanted to take you for drinks before your birthday surprise tonight,” Lily said, giving Regulus a kiss on the cheek. She gestured to the barkeep for three drinks in their direction.
“You’re really going to love it, Reg,” James beamed.
Regulus sent Lily a knowing look that was squashed by an elbow in the ribs. “I swear, he hasn’t told me.”
“I know that, in times past, I have struggled keeping things under wraps—“
“Sometimes literally.”
“But this time I am glad to say that the secret has survived.”
Lily sighed. “There are still a few hours now, aren’t there, Darling?”
Lily was right to be skeptical.
After a few firewhiskey-colas, James had become very—silly.
“I need to get my good blanket from the castle,” he insisted. “I’ve left it in your office, Lilyflower.”
“What would your students say if they saw you in this state?” Lily laughed. She and Regulus each had one of his arms over their shoulder as they walked back to their tiny Hogsmeade cottage. They’d initially gotten it so they’d have a floo location to each of their properties—but it came in handy on nights like these. “I think Harry would be right mortified if you came strutting through the Gryffindor common room as you are now.”
“We’ve been awfully good to the boy, not nearly enough traumatizing moments—” James said, cut off by a yawn.
“Oh yes—you know what they say about well-adjusted teenagers.”
“Quiet, you—or we will just have to take—“
“James—“
“—Octavian back to the Magical Menagerie!” James then started making little cat noises as they walked through the door to the cottage. Once they’d gotten him situated on the corner bed, he was passed out.
“So, a cat, then?” Regulus smiled widely.
“Yeah, a cat.”
November, 2004
“We just thought it might be fun to have a dinner party,” Harry’d said over the phone when he’d called to invite his parents. “You’ll be there, yeah?”
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
After Harry finished Hogwarts, his parents officially handed over the keys to Grimmauld Place. Returning as a guest did feel odd, but James was more teary about the fact that his son had grown up so quickly.
James walked through the fireplace first, champagne in hand. As he rounded the corner to the hallway, he heard voices. Effie Potter had not raised him to eavesdrop, but it was hard not to tune in.
“I’m just so excited. And nervous. And excited,” Pansy said. The grin was evident in her tone.
“I really just can’t wait for my mum and dads to get here, they’re going to be over the moon.”
“This is all so surreal, do you know what I mean? We’re going to be parents, Harry.”
James’ heart stopped. He could hear the fireplace a few times from the study, signalling that Lily and Reg had arrived as well.
“You alright, Love?” asked Lily as they approached. Harry and Pansy’s voices ceased in the other room.
For as long as he’d lived, James had been horrible at keeping surprises alive. He always got too excited to wait. Every part of him wanted to tell his spouses immediately, to let the tears fall, and to celebrate. But something stopped him.
When Harry and Pansy came into the hallway to meet them, James could see the twinkles behind their eyes. This was their amazing surprise. Who was he to take it from them?
“We’re glad you’re here early,” Harry said, taking the bottle from James’ hands. “We actually wanted to tell the three of you something before the rest of the party arrives.”
James could have easily made a whole big thing about his first surprise managed. It was a very big deal, after all. But as he hugged with his family, misty-eyed, it didn’t seem so important anymore. The important thing was the people in that room.