Day 17- dancing- Jegulus, Marylily, Raising Harry
James has always had a very idealised version of love in his mind stemming from years of watching the way his parents love each other so infinitely and unconditionally. He had always held in the back of his mind that he wouldn’t find love like that, trying to keep his hopes down, but it often failed and he found himself dreaming and praying for a love similar to theirs.
He had sort of given up, after many failed dates and episodes of pining over this one boy who didn’t even know he existed, he was ready to stop believing in love, his parents must be the exception that proves the rule.
Then the boy he was pining overlooked back, meeting his eyes and James knew then the love was real and as pure and unending as he had hoped it would be, he had fallen in love with Regulus Black and it was, in his opinion, even more loving than his parents relationship.
When Lily and Mary had come to them with a proposition, James had been overjoyed. Having and raising a child with two of their best friends? Getting to raise a kid with the love of his life, he went to agree but Regulus beat him to it, they were all ready to expand their family.
They had a beautiful boy with pitch-black hair that matched both of his fathers with little curls that matched one of his mothers and deep green eyes that looked so much like Lily’s it was unbelievable. James hadn’t even held his son yet and was prepared to move the heavens and the earth to make him happy. He was fulfilled, happy and overflowing with love, and he just hoped he could make his son feel the same way.
Harry grew up quicker than they can even believe, the months speeding past. The four of them all lived together, not wanting to separate Harry from any of them while he was so young, and supporting each other with the long nights and time-consuming cleaning.
He was two now, waddling around and babbling away at any chance he got, and James was filled with overwhelming joy and happiness just existing in the same space.
Now, he doesn’t know if everyone has this, but James has a favourite memory from his childhood. He was five and woke up in the night, he isn’t sure why, but he could hear music drifting up the stairs, so he crept out of bed standing on his tiptoes to keep the noise down and made his way halfway down the stairs.
From this position he had the perfect view into the living room, he had sat down on the step, holding onto the railing with both hands. He looked into the living room and there by the tree, his parents were dancing in the candlelight. His father was spinning his mother around while she laughed brightly, so carefree and happy that it had made James smile just watching them. They swayed gently while the music quietened and he snuck back upstairs to give them some peace and quiet.
He never told them he saw them dancing that night, and he never saw them again, but every time he heard some music drift up to his room he smiled, it was something that had always stuck with him.
So every the same soft music he had heard for the first time years ago came through the speakers, he pulled Regulus up, interlinking their hands and waltzed him around their living room.
“James,” Regulus laughed while James hummed along to the music, “Are we going to dance to this song every time?”
“Can this be the song we have for our first dance?” James asks but he already knows the answer, Regulus loves this little tradition as much as he does. Regulus nods his affirmation and James kisses him, slowing their dance slightly as he loses focus.
“Planning to marry me one day then?” Regulus asks with a cheeky grin.
“Yep, afraid you’re stuck with me forever now,” Regulus hums after James answers and acts like he’s thinking about it before smiling softly up at James
“I guess there are worse ways to spend my time,” James laughs, leaning their foreheads together while they dance. There's a moment or two of silence before the door creaks open and they look around to see Mary poking her head around the door,
“Room for two more?” James nods in response and the two women enter the room, smiling to their friends. The next song starts, slower than the one before and the four of them talk quietly and laugh, sharing this moment of beauty.
The sound of giggling comes from the top of the stairs that have a view into the living room where Lily had left the door open. At the top of the stairs Harry peers through the bars of his baby-gate, bouncing up and down and laughing. James rushes up to collect their son, carrying him down the stairs to join them.
Harry’s in his pyjamas, having been put to bed hours previously, a green onesie with golden snitches that Regulus bought to influence Harry into taking after him, and he’s clutching one of his teddies, a small teddy blanket that she snuggles his face into. James does a little spin as he brings them into the living room and Harry smiles so hard his eyes start to scrunch up.
Regulus joins them, placing a hand on James' arm and using the other to brush over Harry’s hair, placing a gentle kiss on the top of his head. Harry’s mother come over, Mary pinching Harry’s cheeks and cooing at him while Lily tickles him gently to get him to laugh, he wriggles in James’ grip and he has to readjust so he doesn’t jump to the floor.
With Harry huddled between his parents, James moves him slowly in time to the music, Regulus and Lily each grabbing one of his hands to act like they are dancing along with him, Mary stands opposite swaying in time with Harry, who laughs and giggles, his cheek pressed into his shoulder to keep his teddy there. His eyes are drooping, but he desperately tries to fight the calling of sleep.
He’s unsuccessful, but he falls asleep surrounded by complete and total adoration wrapping around him like a warm blanket. James carries him back up the stairs and tucks him into his bed, carefully removing his glasses to place on the table.
Harry will likely not remember tonight when he’s older, but James will make sure this isn’t the last time he experiences this.