A Family Tradition

Chapter 2

A Nice Visit, and a new Marauder

"Remus, shhh, she's sleeping!" whispered Sirius Black harshly as Remus hit the door with their present as they stepped into Hermione's room.

"Sorry Sirius, but really, this thing's so big, did you really expect me to get it through that door without hitting it?" Remus asked, rather distressed due to the heaviness of the gift.

"Where do you suppose Harry went to?" asked Sirius, totally ignoring Remus' struggle to hold on to the box.

At that moment, Harry returned from sending an owl to Ron and Lavender about James. It had taken him a good two pieces of parchment to describe how adorable and perfect James was.

"Oh, Remus let me help you with that box, it's huge," said Harry, taking hold of the enormous wrapped package.

"Well, at least someone is kind enough to help me with the blasted thing!" said Remus, sending a glare in Sirius' direction.

"What! I had to get the door and... things!" retorted Sirius defensively, trying very hard to find a good excuse for his laziness.

"Could you two at least attempt to act as if you're older than I am? You really worry me sometimes. And you woke Hermione up when she's just withstood eighteen hours of labour!" scolded Harry, rather annoyed at the family friends.

"Sorry Harry," said Remus, looking rather embarrassed

"Yeah, really I... Hi Hermione!" exclaimed Sirius as his tone rapidly swung from deeply apologetic to greatly enthusiastic. He then started waving excitedly at Hermione, who finished stretching and then waved back.

"Hello Sirius, Hi Remus," answered Hermione, stifling a yawn, still rather groggy from her nap.

"Harry, what did you do with James?" asked Sirius expecting to see a baby in Hermione's arms or in the bassinet that sat in the corner. Instead, all he could see were red blankets.

"Oh, he's still in the hospital's nursery. I think they've probably finished measuring him and such; would you like to come and get him with me?" said Harry, surprised at Sirius' spontaneous question. But what could he expect? Ever since Sirius' name had been cleared by the Ministry, in Remus words, "Sirius has his old spark back, everyone watch out."

"Hermione," Harry called, "Sirius and I are going to fetch James. Oh, and Ron and Lavender said they'd come right over." Harry waved and ran down the hall to catch up with Sirius, who was rounding the corner.

"How are things at the office now that Harry's been gone a week?" Hermione asked, smiling at Remus.

"Oh, it's all just splendid. Except that nothing ever runs quite so smoothly when Harry's not around," said Remus, chuckling a bit. " Be honest Hermione, do you think he has a charm on that place?"

"No, not a magical charm, but I think that Harry Potter has a charm all of his own. Did Harry call you and Sirius right after James was born, or did they issue the Daily Prophet early?" asked Hermione, smiling.

"No, Harry's head appeared in our fireplace. It must have been minutes after James was born because he couldn't speak properly and just kept stammering "he" or "the baby". One of the reporters downstairs actually told us what the baby's name was; we couldn't get it out of Harry! You know, I really like the name James Godric Potter; it's rather beautiful and has a nice little ring to it." Remus sighed at the thought. "Sirius couldn't stop running around screaming 'JAMES POTTER LIVES AGAIN!' at the top of his lungs." Remus whipped away a tear that had been slowly running down his cheek.

Hermione had completely forgotten for a moment how sad Remus Lupin must have been when the original James Potter had died. "Yes, do you really think he'll end up being as much trouble as his Marauder Grandfather supposedly was?"

"I think James will be fine, just as long as Sirius keeps his distance," Remus smiled, as the door opened again revealing Sirius, Harry, and in a blue blanket nestled in Harry's arms, James Godric Potter.